Fairfax Adult Softball 2010 Umpire Training

1. Fairfax Adult Softball 2010 Umpire Training SESSION 2 ASA RULE 4 – Players, Coaches, and Substitutes ASA RULE 5 – The Game

2. RULE 4Players, Coaches, and Substitutes

3. Rules Hierarchy League Rules FAS Rules ASA Rules

4. Lineups • Players must be PRESENT to be in lineup • At least 8 players to begin and continue a game • Game is forfeited if the number drops below 8 • Maximum: 14 players • Only legal rostered players • At least 18 years old on or before 12/31 • Masters – 35 years old • Seniors – 50 years old

5. Lineups • Lineups exchanged upon request: last name and first initial • Managers may make changes prior to1st pitch without penalty of substitution rules • Uniforms and numbers are not required • No females on a male roster (except Reston Church) • No males on a female roster • Can add up to 14 total players (FAS Extra Hitter Rule) • Added players may be added anytime during the game BUT must be inserted at the end of the lineup after start of game

6. Lineups – COED • A legal lineup will consist of at least 8 players, including no less than 2 males and 3 females at all times. • Starting with the 1st position in the lineup, the batting order must alternate between males and females or females and males, until you can no longer alternate. • Males may never follow males in the batting order, and first and last batters cannot both be males. • No vacant spots when the game begins except at the end of the lineup.

7. Lineups – COED • 5 males and 3 females. The team will be charged an out in the lineup at each of the missing female positions. The team may add female player(s) to fill the FIRST vacant position in the lineup. • 5 males and 4 females. The team will be charged an out in the lineup at the missing female position. The team may add a female player at the vacant position. • Any other combination of a least eight players will not result in an out being charged to the team. • More females than males. Females may follow females in the batting order. Males may never follow males in the batting order.  If a game begins with more females than males, the team may later add male player(s) between the first two consecutive female players in the lineup.

8. Case Book

9. Lineups – COED • Players may be positioned ANYWHERE in the defense as long as no more than 5 males play defense at any one time. • If a female is injured and there are no replacements available, this will result in a vacated spot in the lineup. • An out will be recorded in the vacated spot each time it appears in the lineup. • A male does not have to leave the lineup as well.

10. Case Book • PLAY: A team starts the game with 6 male and 6 female players. In the fifth inning, it is brought to the umpire’s attention that the team is playing with 6 males and 4 females in the field.

11. Case Book • RULING: There is no penalty. Correct the proper male/female numbers immediately and continue play. Note: This is not a protestable situation.

12. Lineups – CORPORATE COED • A legal lineup shall consist of at least 8 players, (no less than 2 males and 3 females). • If at any time there are less than 2 males or less than 3 females, the game is forfeited. • Up to 14 batters, in any order (alternating batters is not required) shall constitute the batting order PROVIDED, at no time, shall males exceed females in number by more than 4. • No more than 7 males and at least 3 females must play defensively at all times.

13. Physically Challenged Players • A physically challenged player (determined by the Americans with Disabilities Act) participates either on offense OR defense only NOT both. • The physically challenged player can not count toward making a team legal (i.e.; cannot be the 8th player). • Permanent, not temporary, disability.

14. FAS Extra Hitter Rule • Utilized in all FAS leagues except Fast Pitch • EHs may bat anywhere in the order • Teams may add 11th/12th/13th/14th player to the lineup at any time. • If added during the game, EHs must be inserted at the end of the lineup • EHs may switch roles with other players in the lineup and become a fielder during the game

15. Extra Hitters • The player replaced in the field becomes the EH with no change in the batting order; both players remain in the game and bat in their original positions. • This switching is unlimited with multiple players. • The EH may be removed from the game and replaced by a new player. • Should a lineup that originally included EHs be reduced because of injury or any other reason and a replacement is not available, that spot vacated in the batting order will result in an out.

16. Extra Hitters – COED • Up to four (4) extra hitters can be used: • 1 female and 1 male, • 1 female and no males, • 2 females and 2 males, • 2 females and 1 male, • 2 females and no males, • 3 females and 1 male, • 3 females and no males, or • 4 females and no males.

17. Substitutes • Any player in the lineup may be substituted or replaced. • Any player, a starter or a substitute, may re-enter ONCE in the SAME position in the lineup. • The starting player and their substitute may NEVER be in the lineup at the same time. • A substitute is only considered legal when reported to the umpire by the team coach and representative.

18. Substitutes • If a substitute enters the game on offense or defense without reporting to the umpire, it is an unreported substitute: • If discovered by the offending team prior to the offended team, there is no violation, all action stands. • If discovered after a pitch, legal or illegal, or a play made, the player is officially in the game and all action stands.

19. Substitutes • If discovered after completing a turn at bat (on offense) or after making a play (on defense) and BEFORE THE NEXT PITCH, • ON OFFENSE, runners return to their original base and the illegal substitute is officially in the game BUT called out. All other outs that occurred stand. • ON DEFENSE, the unreported substitute is officially in the game and the offensive team has the option to: • Take the result of the play, or • Have the last batter return to bat and assume the ball and strike count; all runners return to the last base occupied prior to the play.

20. Case Book • PLAY: After Sub1 hits a double and is standing on 2B, the opposing team asks for “time” and informs the umpire that Sub1 is an unreported substitute. The umpire verifies that Sub1 did not report and asks the coach to re-enter the starter or to enter a legal substitute.

21. Case Book • RULING: INCORRECT. The unreported substitute, Sub1, is officially in the game BUT called out.

22. Case Book • PLAY: B1 is due up to bat in the bottom of the third inning. Sub1 enters to hit for B1 and reaches first base safely but twists his ankle. Sub2 enters the game for Sub1. In the top of the sixth inning Sub1 enters the game for Sub2.

23. Case Book • RULING: Legal. Any player can re-enter one time regardless of the number of substitutes that have played for them. • B1, Sub1, and Sub2 may each re-enter providing they occupy the same position in the lineup and they are never in the lineup at the same time.

24. Case Book • PLAY: Jones, an unannounced substitute, • A) is standing in the batter’s box with a 2-2 count and 1) Notifies umpire before defense questions his sub; or 2) Does not notify and defense questions the umpire. • B) steps into the batter’s box and no pitch is thrown and the coach wants to replace Jones with Smith • C) is standing on first safely after a base hit and defense appeals before the next pitch.

25. Case Book • Ruling • A-1) and A-2) Jones is officially in the game after a pitch, no penalty and all action stands. • B) Smith may enter and since no pitch had been thrown, then Jones was never considered as a substitute IN the game • C) Jones is officially in the game BUT called out. All runners return to the last base occupied prior to the batted ball.

26. Case Book PLAY: Smith, an unannounced substitute, is playing shortstop. Offense protests: 1) Before a pitch; or 2) After catching a line drive and before the next pitch.

27. Case Book RULING: • No penalty. Replace with the correct player or enter Smith as a legal substitute. • Smith is officially in the game and the offensive teams has the option to: • Take the result of the play, or • Have the last batter return to bat and assume the ball and strike count. All runners return to the last base occupied prior to the play.

28. Coaches / Managers • Responsible for team’s actions • HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE • Represents the team in communications with the umpire and opposing team • Base coaches: • Do not have to be the official coach • May keep score • No cell phones

29. Case Book • PLAY: Jones hits a pop fly in foul territory near third base that F5 tries to catch. The coach, in the coach’s box, does not move and F5 is unable to make the catch.

30. Case Book • Ruling: This is coach’s interference. The ball is dead, the batter out, and all runners must return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. The coach must vacate the coach’s box to allow the defensive player to make a play on a batted ball.

31. FAS Profanity Rule • The judgment of profanity is determined by the umpire. The umpire may eject on an egregious first offense or may: • 1st offense: Warning to BOTH teams. • 2nd offense and after: • If by the team at bat and less than 3 outs after the violation, an out is charged to the team at bat. • If by the team at bat and 3 outs after the violation, an out is charged to the team at bat in the their next at bat. • If by the team in the field, an out is charged to the team (not a batter) in their next at bat.

32. Ejections • FAS will not tolerate misconduct or any acts which are judged to be detrimental to the game of softball. • Any player, coach, spectator can be ejected for misconduct and failure to leave results in forfeit. • Misconduct may include, but is not limited to, physical and verbal abuse, commission of fraud, and arguing the judgment of balls and strikes. • The judgment of misconduct is usually determined by the umpire at the time of the incident.

33. Ejections • A good umpire solves the problem, does not add to the problem, converse, defend, or justify his ejection, and moves on with the game. • Warn ONLY once, then take action. • Warnings are NOT required but when given, they are given to the coach and not the player. Example: Walk to the coach, not yelling across the field, and say, “Hey coach, your shortstop is out of control, please help me keep him in the game. Talk to him and get him under control.”

34. Ejections • If control is not maintained by a player, and an ejection is warranted, then: • Do NOT discuss directly with ejected player. • Discuss the ejection through the coach. • Let coach know he has 2 minutes to remove the player from the field and playing area (at least 150 yards from the field). • Then walk to the opposite baseline and wait for the ejected player to leave. • Failure to do so within 2 minutes of being informed shall result in an immediate forfeit of the ejected person’s team.

35. Ejections • In the umpire’s judgment, the umpire may: • Eject the person for the remainder of the game, • Eject the person for the remainder of the day, • Eject the person for the remainder of the day and ask FAS (or tournament director) to take additional action, and/or • Make a written request to FAS that further action be taken. • The ejected person shall not confront the umpire DURING or AFTER the game – Report to FAS. • Umpire shall identify the ejected person and report the ejected person(s) to FAS within 48 hours.

36. Unloading of Benches • In a confrontational situation, if a team comes to the aid of its player, en masse, it shall result in game forfeiture. • If both benches unload, it’s a double forfeit.

37. Disqualified vs. Ejected • Players can be disqualified for a rule violation that is not related to conduct. • Players are ejected for conduct-related actions. • Disqualified players may remain in the playing area. If found playing, the game is forfeited. • Ejected players must leave the playing area (at least 150 yards from the field).

38. Injuries • If a player is injured and cannot return: • The team may insert a rostered player in that spot, or • If the team does not have an additional rostered player, an out will be recorded each time that spot is up at bat. Note: If the player is unable to continue playing BOTH offensively and defensively, they must be substituted for and removed from the game. They cannot play only offense or only defense.

39. Injuries • Coed – If a female is injured and there are no replacements available, this will result in a vacated spot in the lineup (a male does not have to leave the lineup). • During a LIVE BALL situation, if a player is injured and in the judgment of the umpire, it requires immediate attention, the umpire shall call DEAD BALL and award any bases that would have been reached in his judgment.

40. Blood Rule • A player, coach, or umpire who is bleeding or whose uniform is saturated with blood is prohibited from participating further in the game until the appropriate treatment can be administered. • If it is red, you must act; brown generally indicates old blood which requires no action. • If medical care or treatment is administered in a “reasonable” length of time, the person will not have to leave the game.

41. Case Book • PLAY: A men’s team began a game with 8 players. F7 receives a cut on the arm while diving to catch the third out of the fourth inning. F7 misses his turn at bat in the top of the next inning due to extended medical treatment and an out is recorded. F7 returns to play in the bottom of the fifth inning.

42. Case Book • RULING: Incorrect Procedure. Under no circumstances shall a team be permitted to bat less than 8.

43. Blood Rule • The length of time considered reasonable is left to the umpire’s judgment. • The umpire shall: • Stop the game and allow treatment if the injured person would affect the continuation of play, • Immediately call a coach or other authorized person to the injured player, and • Apply the rules of the game regarding substitutions, re-entry, and shorthanded play, as necessary.

44. RULE 5The Game

45. The Field • Make use of the 15 minutes before the game. • The umpire shall review the status and decide the fitness of the field prior to the game. • Notify coaches of any ground rules (temporary and established) • If the umpire feels that the game should not be played, he may: • Delay the game, • Cancel the game, or • Cancel the entire playing cycle on that field. • BE CREATIVE BEFORE CANCELING ANY GAMES!!!!

46. The Field • Manager(s) may request a game be terminated if they believe the conditions surrounding the playing of the game jeopardize the safety of the players. • If the umpire does not take remedial action, the manager may file a protest and withdraw the team from play.

47. The Field • If a team fails to appear for any game (including make-up games) and the umpire declares the field playable, a forfeit will be awarded to the appearing legal team. • Fields should include home plate and three bases properly secured and dimensioned or the game will be postponed; however, again be creative before canceling the game.

48. Field Playability Umpires will judge fields to determine whether they should be closed if any of the following are present: • Standing water that cannot be removed without causing damage to the field. • Severe muddy conditions present that will not dry by the start of the game. • Excessive water gathers around the sole of a shoe on any portion of the field. • Any impression of your footprint is left in the surface of ½” deep or more.

49. Game Time • Umpire keeps the official time and updates managers prior to the start and throughout the game, as needed. • Scheduled game time is forfeit time. • Exception:WEEKNIGHT games scheduled to begin before 6:45 have a forfeit time 15 minutes past scheduled start time. GRACE PERIOD comes out of the game time. • Games must begin as soon as both teams meet minimum requirement of a legal lineup. • No new inning shall begin after 60 minutes from scheduled start time, except when games start earlier than scheduled start time.

50. Game Time Game time begins with the first pitch (delivered or called). In games starting late, no new inning shall begin after 60 minutes from scheduled start time or actual start time, whichever is later. A game may begin before scheduled start time if umpires and both managers agree. NOTE: Teams get the extra time for game play. • Any inning begun shall be played to completion, unless injury, weather, or field conditions necessitate otherwise. • Examples of the effect of this rule: • Scheduled 7:35 game begins at 7:35 - No new inning begins after 8:35 • Scheduled 7:35 game begins at 7:25 - No new inning begins after 8:35 • Scheduled 7:35 game begins at 7:45 - No new inning begins after 8:45