|
|
|
 Rules |
|
ASA 2001 Rule Changes
2001 PLAYING RULE CHANGES AND COMMENTS
The new 2001 Playing Rule changes are listed below with comments prepared to help explain the intent of the new rule. TRANSPARENCIES will be available January 1 to assist the local instructors in interpreting these changes.
Rule 2, Sec. 1: G12-UFP: Pitching distance changed from 35 feet to 40 feet.
G12-USP: Pitching distance changed from 40 feet to 46 feet
B12-USP: Pitching distance changed from 40 feet to 46 feet
COMMENTS: Because of the talent level of the 12-U youth, the pitching distance was increased in length in both slow and fast pitch. This is also a safety orientated rule change, providing the players with more reaction time on batted balls.
WMFP: Pitching distance changed from 40 feet to 43 feet
COMMENTS: Note: This is for the WOMEN’S MAJOR level only. The Women’s Class “A”, “B”, “C”, and youth levels all remain at 40 feet. This is the NCAA pitching distance. Statistics prove this added distance allows more offense to the major level game. Because a majority of the MAJOR adult pitchers are coming from the college ranks, where they are used to throwing and hitting from the 43 feet distance, this was recommended.
MMSP: Minimum fence distance changed from 275’ to 300’.
COMMENTS: Because of the improved technology of bats and balls, this minimum fence distance is necessary for this level of competition.
Rule 2, Sec 3H-2: Add JO Girls Fast Pitch 10-U, 12-U, 14-U, 16-U, and 18-U to rule which reads “the double first base shall be used in these divisions of play.” (Effective 2002)
COMMENTS: The double first base should be as much a safety requirement as helmets, bat specifications, and ball specifications. It’s use greatly enhances safety, but does not change the nature of the game.
Rule 3, Sec 1B: Delete the “note” which reads: “Bats made of or containing Timetal 15-3 or Teledyne 15-333 Titanium alloy shall not be used until further testing is completed.”
COMMENTS: With the new specifications restricting the “ball speed off the bat,” the composition of a bat is no longer of concern. All bats, regardless of what alloys they are made of, must now follow the same specifications.
Rule 3, Sec 3H & J: Delete entire sections and re-number.
COMMENTS: Balls with a .50 COR are no longer legal in ASA fast pitch play, and therefore this section is not needed.
Rule 3, Sec. 3L: Change wording to read: “The white cover, red-stitch or yellow optic cover, red-stitch (and/or red indelible stamping as approved by the ASA) 12-inch ball with a COR of .47 and under shall be used in the following ASA play: men’s slow pitch and coed (male batters only) slow pitch, boys 14-, 16-, and 18-under slow pitch; and all modified pitch. It must be marked as shown below.”
COMMENTS: The yellow optic, red-stitch ball has proven that it is easier to see, therefore making it easier to hit and field and improving the safety of the players. The yellow optic, red-stitch ball with a COR of .47, can now be used in fast pitch, slow pitch and modified pitch.
Rule 3, Sec 3M: Change wording to read: “The white cover, red-stitch or yellow optic cover, red-stitch (and/or red indelible stamping as approved by the ASA) 11-inch ball with a COR of .47 and under, shall be used in the following ASA play: women’s slow pitch, coed slow pitch (women batters only), boys 10- and 12-under slow pitch and girls 10-, 12-, 14-, 16-, and 18-under slow pitch. It must be marked as shown below.”
COMMENTS: Similar to the previous comment, the yellow optic, red-stitch ball has proven that it is easier to see, therefore making it easier to hit and field, and improves the safety of the players.
Red Colored Marking & Stamp
Max 525 lbs
Max .47 cor
Black Colored Marking & Stamp
Max 525 lbs
Max .44 cor
Blue Colored Marking & Stamp
Max 525 lbs
Max .40 cor
Red Colored Marking & Stamp
Max 525 lbs
Max .47 cor
Black Colored Marking & Stamp
Max 525 lbs
Max .44 cor
Blue Colored Marking & Stamp
Max 525 lbs
Max .40 cor
LOCATION OF MARK ON BALL
(Diagram showing placement of Marks in upper panel)
Rule 3, Sec. 4: Add wording to read: “GLOVES MAY BE WORN BY ANY PLAYER BUT MITTS MAY BE USED ONLY BY THE CATCHER AND FIRST BASEMAN. The dimensions of any glove used by any fielder other than the first baseman or catcher shall not exceed the specifications set forth below (see drawing and specifications). The top opening of the web and any mitt used by any first baseman or catcher shall not exceed the specifications set forth below. (Fast Pitch Only): The pitcher’s glove shall be of one solid color other than white, gray or yellow optic. Multicolored gloves are acceptable for all other players. Gloves with white, gray, or yellow optic circles on the outside, giving the appearance of a ball, are illegal for all players.”
SPECIFICATIONS
(a) Palm width (top) 20.3 cm (8 in.)
(b) Palm width (bottom) 21.6 cm (8 ½ in.)
(c) Top opening of web 12.7 cm (5 in.)
(d) Bottom opening of web 11.5 (4 ½ in.)
(e) Web top to bottom 18.4 cm (7 ¼ in.)
(f) 1st finger crotch seam 19.0 cm (7 ½ in.)
(g) Thumb crotch seam 19.0 (7 ½ in.)
(h) Crotch seam 44.5 cm (17 ½ in.)
(i) Thumb top to bottom edge 23.5 cm (9 ¼ in.)
(j) 1st finger top to bottom edge 35.6 cm (14 in.)
(k) 2nd finger top to bottom edge 33.7 cm (13 ¼ in.)
(l) 3rd finger top to bottom edge 31.1 cm (12 ¼ in.)
(m) 4th finger top to bottom edge 27.9 cm (11 in.)
COMMENTS: Because of the popularity of the yellow optic ball, these color additions were necessary. The glove dimensions at one time were in the rule book, but removed. It was felt that these measurement requirements should be returned to the rule book in order to provide guidance to the manufacturers, and control the size of softball gloves.
Rule 3, Sec 5B-C-D: Remove JO Women’s 23-U from all sections of fast and slow pitch, where it has been listed with Junior Olympic. This ruling dealt with masks and helmets.
COMMENTS: An ASA Code change was made to remove from youth play and list under adult play, therefore JO requirements for masks and helmets will not be followed in these divisions in championship play. Adult rules will now apply. (ASA Code Article 204, A-22 and 23)
Rule 4, Sec 7C : Add new #3 to Illegal Runner to read:
A. (Girls JO Fast Pitch Only): Not reporting a courtesy runner or using an ineligible/illegal courtesy runner.
COMMENTS: No change to existing rule. This was not included in this rule and section when the rule was added in 2000.
Rule 5, Sec 8 Men’s Slow Pitch Home Run limits changed:
A. Unlimited no change
B. Twelve (12) no change
C. Nine (9) Class “A” and Major Masters 35-O.
D. Six (6) (Remove Major Church)
E. Four (4) Church
F. Three (3) Class “C”, Class A Coed, Masters “A” 35-O, Masters “A” and Major 40-O, and Masters “A” and Major 45-O.
(Remove Class A Church.)
G. One (1) no change
H. None (0) no change
EFFECT: For any in excess, the ball is dead, the batter is out, and no runners can advance.
Note: no change to any sub-section
COMMENTS: Major Master’s 40-O and 45-O requested the reduction. Both Men’s Major Church and Men’s “A” Church were combined, and the limitation was set at four. As shown above remove Major (6) and A (3) Church limits.
Rule 6, Sec 3F-2: Change wording to sub-section 2 to read: (“A”) No restriction on
Modified Pitch the backward swing or at the top of the back swing. The pitcher must have an opportunity to move the ball from outside the wrist to the inside of the wrist to comply with the restriction of the position of the ball during deliver. The ball must not be outside the pitcher’s wrist on the downward motion and during the complete delivery.”
COMMENTS: The underlined wording was added in order to allow the pitcher to abide by the delivery on the downward motion and release, as he/she completes the delivery.
Rule 8, Sec. 2H: Change the word “moves” to “steps” so it will read: “THE BATTER-RUNNER IS OUT: H. When the batter-runner steps back toward home plate to avoid or delay a tag by a fielder.”
COMMENTS: “Moves” is ambiguous and leaves it open to interpretation by the umpire. “Steps” is a definite act. The change follows the current interpretation.
Rule 8, Sec 2N: N. If, when using the double base, and there is a force play by an infielder on the batter-runner, who touches only the white portion and collides with the fielder about to catch a thrown ball while on the white. PENALTY: Interference is ruled, the ball is dead, the batter-runner is out, and all other runners are returned to the base last occupied at the time of interference.
(Renumber existing “N” to “O”)
COMMENTS: This form of interference would only be used if the double first base is being used, and the batter-runner touches only the white portion of the base. If a collision occurs when using the colored portion of the base, no interference would be called. Interference is ruled in order to cause a dead ball and not allow the offense to gain an advantage by having other runners advance on the illegal act by the offense.
Rule 8, Sec 10C: Add to existing wording to read:
A. Any player on the official line-up sheet including available substitutes may be used as a courtesy runner. (Master’s SP Only) A courtesy runner may be used one time per inning.
COMMENTS: In Master’s Slow Pitch play, this courtesy runner can only be used one time per inning. In Master’s Fast Pitch and Senior Slow and Fast Pitch, the same courtesy runner may be used two or more times in the same inning.
Rule 8, Sec 10K: (Senior Slow Pitch Only) If the runner has passed the commitment line (20 foot marking), continues to run on the original foul line, and interferes with the fielder taking the throw at, and in contact with the original home plate. EFFECT: A dead ball shall be declared and the runner is out.
COMMENTS: In the Senior Slow Pitch game, a second home plate is placed eight feet from home plate and base runners should be using the direct line from third base to the second home plate. However, if they use the original base line toward the original home plate, and if interference occurs on a thrown ball, the runner is ruled out and the ball declared dead so other runners cannot advance.
Rule 8, Sec. 11: Change wording in this section to read:
COURTESY RUNNERS (GIRLS J.O. FAST PITCH ONLY)
A. The team at bat may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and/or the catcher, at any time. Neither the pitcher nor the catcher will be required to leave the game under such circumstances. The same courtesy runner may not run for both the pitcher and the catcher in the same half inning or any time during the game.
B. The pitcher and catcher are identified as the last players who physically played that position on defense. In the top of the first inning only, the pitcher and catcher are identified as those players listed on the lineup as pitcher and catcher.
C. Players who are currently in the game or have participated in the game in any other capacity are ineligible to serve as courtesy runners.
D. A player may not be a substitute for any player in the half inning that she ran as a courtesy runner. EXCEPTION: If an injury or disqualification occurs and no substitutes are available, the courtesy runner must be used as a substitute, and take the place of the injured player. Should the courtesy runner be on base, and is entered as a substitute, the pitcher or catcher for whom the courtesy runner is running, must run in her place.
E. Once a courtesy runner has been designated for the pitcher and/or catcher, the pitcher or catcher for whom she is running may not return to run while that courtesy runner is on base. A courtesy runner cannot run for a courtesy runner. EXCEPTION: Should an injury or disqualification occur to any offensive player, and no substitutes are available, the courtesy runner must take the place of the injured player. In this case, the courtesy runner enters as a substitute and the pitcher or catcher for whom the courtesy runner is running, must run in her place.
F. A courtesy runner must be reported to the umpire. If a courtesy runner fails to report or violates the courtesy runner rule, she is considered to be an illegal runner and shall be disqualified.
COMMENTS: These changes clarify who the pitcher and catcher are for purposes of using a courtesy runner; clarifies when a courtesy runner can become a substitute for another player; clarifies the exceptions to the rule; clarifies what to do if a team does not have enough players due to injury or disqualification; and clarifies the penalty for unreported or illegal courtesy runner.
Rule 10, Sec. 1C: Add “or tan padding” to sub-section to read: “The plate umpire in fast pitch must wear a black mask, with black or tan padding and a black throat protector.
COMMENTS: Because the previous ruling required only black mask and padding, many umpires had to purchase different masks for fast pitch softball and baseball (or had to change padding for each sport) This ruling is user friendly and should increase the number of registered umpires, who would not umpire fast pitch as a result of buying a separate mask or pad.
Rule 11, Sec. 3-D When a batter reaches first base safely as a result of a preceding runner being called out for interfering with a batted or thrown ball, or with a defensive player.
COMMENTS: The scoring procedure is to award a base hit when interference is ruled, and it is the feeling of the Playing Rules Committee that this should be a force out instead. It is unfair scoring to award a base hit for a violation (interference) by the offensive team. (Rule 8, Sec 8J-L Note will be changed to reflect this)
|
|
