Down East Umpire Association

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Down East Umpire Association
2013
2013
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Down East Umpire Association SoftballTABLE OF
CONTENTS

• Rule Changes
• Rule 1. Field and Equipment
• Rule 2. Definitions
• Rule 3. Players, Substitutes and Coaches
• Rule 4. Starting and Ending Game
• Rule 5. Dead Ball and Suspension of Play
• Dead-Ball and Delayed Dead-Ball Tables
• Rule 6. Pitching
• Rule 7. Batting
• Rule 8. Batter-Runner and Runner
• Rule 9. Scoring and Record Keeping
• Rule 10. Umpiring
• By State Adoption
• Points of Emphasis
• Official NFHS Softball Signals

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• 2012 SOFTBALL RULES CHANGES
• 1-3-1
• The color white was removed from the list of
  permissible colors for softballs. All softballs
  used for competition must now be optic yellow.
• 1-5-2a
• The requirement that the bat knob protrude at a
  90-degree angle from the handle was removed.
• 3-2-5
• Headwear requirements were revised and clarified.
  Headwear (caps, visors, headbands, ribbons, etc.)
  may be mixed, but if worn, they must be white,
  black, beige or school colors (the colors are not
  required to be the same for team members). The
  logo may be any color. Flat items, no longer than
  2 inches, used to control the hair, such as bobby
  pins, barrettes and hair clips are permitted.
  Plastic visors, bandannas and hair-beads are
  prohibited.
• 7-4-2 Penalty
• A more severe penalty was added when a batter has
  used an altered or non-approved bat. In addition
  to an out being called on the batter, the batter
  and head coach will be ejected from the contest.

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• Editorial Changes
• 1-5-1c
• Clarified that shaving, rolling or artificially
  warming the bat barrel are prohibited.
• Rationale Recent data indicates a significant
  improvement to bat performance when bat warmers
  are used (approximately 2 MPH to batted ball
  speed). The clarification now clearly states the
  prohibition in the rule, not just in a Point of
  Emphasis.
• 2-4
• The definitions of legal and illegal bats were
  revised and updated.
• Rationale Clarification for proper penalty
  administration.
• 2-5-3 3-5-6 7-5 New 7-4-12 8-6-15 8-6-16 New
  
• Several rules were updated and reorganized to
  clarify offensive interference.
• Rationale The rules indicated were all related,
  yet inconsistently described/penalized.
• 3-2-13 NOTE
• The Note was revised to clarify that state
  associations may grant exceptions to NFHS playing
  rules for participants with disabilities, special
  needs and/or extenuating circumstances.
• Rationale Clarifies that an individual state
  association may authorize exceptions to the
  playing rules to provide reasonable
  accommodations to individual participants with
  disabilities and/or special needs or other unique
  and extenuating circumstances. Such exceptions
  are not considered rules modifications since they
  are not general in nature rather, they are
  limited to the circumstances of specific
  individual participants.
• 8-9-2 New Exception
• The courtesy-runner procedure was clarified.
• Rationale Clarified the procedure when the
  pitcher/catcher on the lineup card is unable to
  face the first batter in the bottom of the first
  inning due to injury/disqualification.
• 10-1-2 New Note
• A note was added clarifying the administrative
  responsibilities of umpires through the
  completion of required reports.

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• Rule?1 Field and Equipment

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SECTION 1 THE FIELD
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LEGAL EQUIPMENT MARKINGS
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No obstruction
Down East Umpire Association Softball
No obstruction
No obstruction
No obstruction
No obstruction
No obstruction
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- 60 FEET APART
USING A
- 12 INCH BALL
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43 FEET MEASURED FROM REAR TIP OF HOME
PLATE FRONT PITCHERS PLATE
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6 FEET DIAMETER
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OUTFIELD FENCE 185 FEET 235 FEET
FENCE 6 8 FEET HIGH
FOUL TERRITORY RECOMMENDED 30 FEET
FOUL TERRITORY RECOMMENDED 30 FEET
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ALL LINES MUST BE WHITE!
ALL LINES 2 ½ INCHES WIDE
RUNNING LANE, CATCHERS BOX, COACHES BOXES,
BATTERS BOXES MUST BE MARKET
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8 ½ FEET WIDE AND 10 FEET DEEP
4 FEET IN FRONT
3 FEET IN BACK
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ON DECK BATTER MUST REMAIN ON TEAM SIDE!
ON DECK CIRCLES DO NOT HAVE TO BE USED.
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MEDIA AREA MUST BE MARKED!
MEDIA AREA MUST BE MARKED!
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ALL BASES MUST BE WHITE
BY STATE ADOPTION A DOUBLE FIRST BASE MAY BE USED
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17 INCHES ACCROSS
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24 INCHES
6 INCHES
43 FEET FROM PLATE MEASURED FROM REAR TIP OF
HOME PLATE TO FRONT PITCHERS PLATE
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12 INCH SOFTBALL
BALL COLOR OPTIC YELLOW OR WHITE
MUST HAVE MARK!!!
PLAY SIZE COR COMPRESSION
WEIGHT CIRCUMFERENCE
Fast Pitch 12 .47 max 375 lbs.max
61/4 to 7 ounces 117/8 to 12¼ inches
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Down East Umpire Association Softball
ANY FIELD DEMENSIONS THAT ARE DISCOVERED TO BE
INCORRECT MUST BE FIXED AT TIME OF DISCOVERY!!!!!
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Down East Umpire Association Softball
MAY BE 2 COLORS COLORS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH
BALL COLOR
14 INCHES HIGH 8 INCHES WIDE
NO FORGEIN OR STICKY SUBSTANCES
IF ILLEGAL MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY!!!!
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Down East Umpire Association Softball
NON APPROVED BAT LIST www.asasoftball.com)
NO DINTS, CRACKS, DINGS, RIVETS, PINS, SHARP
AREAS, RATTLE, OR ALTERATIONS.
MUST HAVE MARK ON BAT
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Down East Umpire Association Softball
STAMP MUST BE PRESENT ON HELMENT AND MASK!
NO CRACKS, DENTS, OR SCREWS MISSING!
MUST BE WORN BY BATTER, ON DECK BATTER, BALL
SHAGERS UNDER 18 IN LIVE BALL TERRITORY!
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Down East Umpire Association Softball
NO CRACKS, DENTS, OR SCREWS MISSING!
STAMP MUST BE PRESENT ON HELMENT!
MUST BE WORN BY CATCHER OR ANY NON-ADULT WARMING
UP PITCHER
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LEGAL TO WEAR ON DEFENSE ONLY!!! EXCEPT THE
CATCHER!
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NO EQUIPMENT IN LIVE BALL TERRITORY!!!!
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ALL ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT MUST BE REMOVE OR FIXED
PRIOR TO GAME TIME!!!!
SHEILDS MUST BE CLEAR!!!
PENALITY COACH AND PLAYER DISQUALIFIED!!!
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Rule?2 Definitions
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SECTION 1 APPEALS UMPIRE MAKES RULING UPON
REQUEST BY COACH OR PLAYER.
TYPES Missing a base, leaving a base, batting
order, or attempting to advance to second base
after rounding 1st
METHODS LIVE BALL OR DEAD BALL ALL ABOVE CAN
BE LIVE BALL OR DEAD BALL EXCEPT BATTING ORDER
DEAD BALL ONLY
Must be made before next legal pitch, end of an
inning prior to infilders leaving fair territory,
on last play of game before umpires leave field
of play. NOTE umpires should not leave the
field at end of the game until last infielder
leaves fair territory.
RUNNERS MAY ADVANCE DURING A LIVE BALL
APPEAL! MAY NOT RETURN TO TOUCH A BASE IF
REACHED NEXT BASE, LEFT FIELD OF PLAY OR
FOLLOWING RUNNER SCORES.
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Down East Umpire Association Softball
SECTION 2 BALL, BATTED, BLOCKED, DEAD, DELAYED
DEAD, FLY, GROUND, PASSED, ROTATION
BALL Playing implements. Term designated for a
pitch not a strike.
BATTED BALL Pitch contacted by a bat fair or
foul
BLOCKED BALL live ball pitched, batted or
thrown touched or stopped by something not a
part of normal play
DEAD BALL A ball not in play.
DELAYED DEAD BALL Rule Violation ruled on after
ball becomes dead.
FLY BALL Batted ball that rises an appreciable
height above ground.
GROUND BALL Batted ball that bounces on ground
fair or foul
PASSED BALL Pitch by catcher Runner may advance
BALL ROTATION Determins which ball that is in
play
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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 3 BASE LINE, PATH
• BASE LINE direct line between two separate
  bases.
• BASE PATH Base line 3 ft on either side More
  than 3 ft / OUT
• NOTE runner establishes her path when not be
  played on.

• SECTION 4 BAT ALTERED BAT, ILLEGAL BAT,
  NON-APPROVED BAT
• ALTERED BAT leagl bat structurally changed
• ILLEGAL BAT bat that doesnt meet
  specifications
• NON-APPROVED BAT ASA Specifications
  www.asasoftball.com

• SECTION 5 BATTER, BATTER-RUNNER, ON-DECK BATTER
• BATTER player of team at bat occupy either
  batters box
• BATTER-RUNNER Player finished time at bat play
  ends or put out
• ON-DECK BATTER offensive player on deck circle
  at team dugout stay in circle during warm-ups or
  becomes batter

SECTION 6 BATTERS BOX Area including lines in
which batter is positioned when batting.

• SECTION 7 BATTING ORDER, OUT OF ORDER
• BATTING ORDER Official line-up / batting order/
  starters positions
• BATTING OUT OF ORDER failing to bat in proper
  sequence on line-up

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 8 BUNT, ATTEMPTED BUNT, DRAG BUNT
• BUNT ball tapped at not a swing
• ATTEMPTED BUNT holding bat or movement to
  intended to tap ball. Pull back bat or take away
  from ball is taking the pitch.
• DRAG BUNT bunt attempt while running forward in
  the batters box.

• SECTION 9 CATCH
• CATCH secure possession of a batted, pitched or
  thrown ball.
• Fielder must prove control release must be
  voluntary.
• During Transfer to throwing hand dropping ball is
  ruled a catch.
• Its a Catch Secure possession before stepping,
  touching or falling into dead ball territory or
  falling over fence and on a fence
• No catch
• Catch without use of glove, hand in proper place
• Fails to maintain possession for any reason
• Use of uniform or equipment that is displaced
• Touch ball while foot is touching dead ball
  territory at time.
• Traps ball
• Ball prevented from touching ground by players
  equipment/body must be securely held by hand or
  glove

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 10 CATCHER, CATCHERS BOX
• CATCHER player catching pitches must be in
  catchers box
• CATCHERS BOX 10 ft deep 8.5 inches wide.

SECTION 11 CHECKED SWING Batter stops an
attempted hit/slap/bunt swing carried batt
barrekk in front of batters body. Bat struck at
the ball judgement
SECTION 13 COACHES BOX 1 coach/ box restricted
to box during pitch

• SECTION 14 CONFERENCES CHARGED, PREGAME
• CHARGED request to meet with offensive or
  defensive player
• PREGAME meeting involving umpires, head coach
  /or captains

SECTION 15 CONFINES OF FIELD Field of play,
dugout/bench area, warm-up area within view of
umpires
SECTION 17 DUGOUT (BENCH AREA) Area reserved for
team personnel engaged in game
SECTION 18 EFFECT Consequence of play or results
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Down East Umpire Association Softball
SECTION 19 EJECTION Umpire exercises authority to
remove team personnel from game

• SECTION 20 FAIR BALL
• FAIR BALL batted ball that
• settles or touched fair
• Touches or bounds a base
• Touches 1st,2nd, or 3rd base
• While fair touches anybody or anything
• Over fence while fair
• Touches fair beyond a base
• FAIR FLY judged according to flight of ball at
  touch

SECTION 21 FAKE TAG Obstruction Call simulates
a tag

• SECTION 22 FIELD OF PLAY, FAIR, FOUL, DEAD BALL
  TERRITORY
• FIELD OF PLAY area in which ball may be played
  or fielded legally.
• FAIR TERRITORY with-in including foul lines
  plate, lines, poles
• FOUL TERRITORY outside of foul lines
• DEAD-BALL TERRITORY area outside normal playing
  area Pregame conference

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 23 FIELDERS, INFIELDERS, OUTFIELDERS
• Any player on the team in field of play
• Infielders 1st, 2nd, 3rd, ss, P, C
• Outfielders LF, CF, RF

• Section 24 force play
• Force play runner is forced to run must
  advance to next base
• Force Ends runner touches next base or following
  runner is out
• No force if a batted ball is caught prior to
  touching ground
• Force reinstated if runner retreats to any base
  other than home may be declared out upon touch
  of base to which she is forced.

• SECTION 25 FOUL BALL, FOUL TIP
• Foul Ball batted ball that
• Settled or touch foul
• Bounds outside 1st or 3rd base
• First to hit gound foul beyond 1st and 3rd base
• Touches someone or something in foul territory
• Runner interferes with defense attempt to field a
  foul ball
• Touches batter or bat while batter is in box
• Goes from bat to catchers body or equipment
  prior to catch
• Foul Tip batted ball goes from bat to
  glove/hand caught live ball

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 26 GAME, SUSPENDED, CALLED, REGULATION,
  FORFIETED
• Suspended game is stop temporarily to be finished
  later
• Called game is ended by umpire
• Regulation game 7 innings unless shortened by
  rule
• Forfeited Game is awarded to opponent of
  offending team

• SECTION 27 ILLEGALLY BATTED BALL
• Illegally batted ball is a pitch contacted by the
  batter
• With illegal bat
• Any part of foot on plate at time of contact with
  ball
• Foot entirely out of batters box

SECTION 28 IN FLIGHT Ball in flight is batted,
thrown or pitched ball that hasnt touched
ground, an object, or person
SECTION 29 INFIELD Portion of field that is
normally skinned covered by infielders
SECTION 30 INFIELD FLY RULE Fair fly that can be
caught by an infielder with ordinary effort.
Runners on 1st 2nd or bases loaded. Batter
out live ball no force runners may tag
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Down East Umpire Association Softball
SECTION 31 INNING 3 outs/ team both teams play
offense and defense inning start on last out

• SECTION 32 INTERFERENCE (OFFENSE)
• Physical or verbal act by offense that impedes,
  hinders, or confuses defense runner creates
  malicious contact with fielder
• Types equipment, umpire, or spctator

SECTION 33 LEAP Pitcher has both feet airborne
prior to delivery
SECTION 34 LINE DRIVE Batted ball which travel
parallel or near ground for most of its flight
SECTION 35 OBSTRUCTION (DEFENSE) Any act by the
defense tha hinders or impedes a batters attempt
or runner advancing. Act may be intentional or
unintentional. Unless fielder is in possession
of ball or making initial play on ball
SECTION 37 ON-DECK CIRCLE 5 ft Diameter safe
distance away from home plate
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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 38 OUT, FORCE OUT, TAG OUT, PUT OUT
• OUT umpire declares offensive player has been
  retired 3/tean
• FORCH OUT put out in which offensive player is
  forced to advance.
• TAG OUT touch the runner with live ball or ball
  in glove/hand
• PUTOUT fielder retiring an offensive player

SECTION 39 OUTFIELD Portions of the field beyond
the infield
SECTION 40 OVERSLIDING, OVERRUNNING,
OVERWALKING Runner goes past a base after
advancing
SECTION 41 PENALTY Loss assessed by umpire for a
rule infraction

• SECTION 42 PINCH HITTER, PINCH RUNNER
• Pinch Hitter person inserted to bat.
• Pinch Runner person inserted into line-up to run

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 43 PITCH, LEAGL, NO PITCH, QUICK
• Pitch live ball legally delivered to the batter
• Illegal Pitch violation of pitching rule
• No Pitch umpire halts play or nullifies pitch
• Quick Pitch Pitch delivered that catches batter
  unprepared

SECTION 44 PITCHER Person designated on line-up
card as pitcher to deliver pitch to batter
SECTION 45 PITCHERS 16 FOOT CIRCLE 16 foot
circle used for look-back rule both feet are
partially with in circle
SECTION 46 PITCHERS PIVOT FOOT Pitchers pivot
foot must be in contact with the ground
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• SECTION 47 PLAY BALL, MAKE A PLAY, INITIAL
  PLAY
• Play Ball umpire uses term to start or resume
  play
• Make a Play
• Any action by the pitcher that cause a
  reaction(look-back rule)
• Any action by a fielder attempting to catch/gain
  control of a batted or thrown ball
• Attempt by a defensive player to retire a
  runner/batter-runner

SECTION 48 RESTRICTED TO THE DUGOUT/BENCH
AREA Restricted to the dougout/bench area
indicates a participant has been confined to the
dugout/bench area for the remainder of the game
for a rule infraction (not a major unsporting
act).
SECTION 49 RUN Run is scored when an offensive
player legally advances to and touches home plate

• SECTION 50 RUNNER, RETIRED RUNNER
• Runner offfensive player who advances to,
  touching or returning to a base.
• Retired Runner player who has scored or has
  been put out and is still in live-ball territory.

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• SECTION 51 SLAP HIT
• Slap Hit batted ball struck with a short
  chopping motion rather than with a full swing.
• Two types of slap hits are
• Batter takes stance as if to bunt but then either
  drives the ball into the ground with a short
  swing or punches it over the infield.
• Batter takes running steps toward the pitcher
  befor making contact with the pitch

• SECTION 52 SLIDE LEGAL, ILLEGAL
• Legal Slide feet/head first feet first one
  leg and buttock shall be on the ground. Runner
  shall be within reach of base with hand/foot
• Illegal Slide
• Rolling or cross-body slide into fielder
• Raised leg is higher than the fielders knee
  while standing
• Runner goes beyond the base and makes contact
  with or alters play of the fielder
• Runner tries to injure the fielder.

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SECTION 53 SQUEEZE PLAY (F.P.) Squeeze Play
play in which a runner steals home and batter
bunts
SECTION 54 STARTING PLAYERS 9 or 10 (DP/FLEX)
Players submitted to and accepted by the plate
umpire at pregame conference
SECTION 55 STOLEN BASE Stolen Base advance of a
runner to next base without aid of a base hit,
putout, fielding error, passed ball, or wild
pitch. Double or triple steal involves 2 or 3
runners

• SECTION 56 STRIKE, STRIKEOUT, STRIKE ZONE
• Strike any pitch that enters strike zone without
  first touching the ground or is swung at by the
  batter and missed. May be called by the umpire
  for specific actions by the batter. 2-8-2,
  3-6-19, 7-2-1 and 7-3-1
• Strikeout result of a third strike charged to a
  batter
• Strike Zone(F.P.) space over home plate which
  is between the batters forward armpit and the
  top of the knees when the batter assumes a
  natural batting stance. Any part of the ball
  passing through the zone is a strike. According
  to batters usual stance.

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• SECTION 57 SUBSTITUTE, UNREPORTED, ILLEGAL
• Substitute player not listed on the lineup as a
  starter but who may legally replace a starting
  player. Any player who enter or renters the
  game DP when the DP plays defense for the Flex
  FLEX when the FLEX plays offense for the DP.
• Unreported Substitute is a substitute who has a
  legal right to participate but has not reported
  to the umpire prior to participation (3-6-7).
  All Substitutes must be reported to Umpire.
• Note Courtesy Runner is not a substitute , but
  must be reported. (8-9-7)
• Illegal Substitute player who enters or
  reenters the game without eligibility to do so
  (illegal re-entry) player who reenters the game
  in wrong position in batting order FLEX enter
  the game as a batter or runner in a different
  postion in the batting order than the DP or a
  player who violates the courtesy runner rule.

SECTION 58 THREE FOOT RUNNING LANE Three Foot
Running Lane space defined by a line drawn 3 ft
from and parallel to the first base line starting
halfway between home and first base and extending
to first base in foul territory.
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SECTION 59 TIME OR TIME-OUT Time term
used by umpire to suspend play. Ball becomes
Dead.
SECTION 60 TIME AT BAT Time at Bat period
beginning when a batter first enters the batters
box and continues until she is putout or becomes
a batter-runner. EXCEPTION Batter is not charged
a time at bat on a sacrifice hit, hit by pitched
ball, award a base on balls, replace before being
charged with 2 strikes, replaced with 2 strikes
and the substitute does not strike out, or she
advances to first base because of obstruction .
SECTION 61 TIMING PLAY Timing Play play when
the last out of an inning is not the result of a
force out and the exact time of the out may or
may not allow a run to score. If a runner
touches home base before the last out (not a
force) is made, the run would be scored. Runner
touches home base on a force or after the last
out then no run would be scored.
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SECTION 62 TOUCHING Touching contact with ball,
equipment or a person. Applies to a pitched ball
touching a batter, batted ball touching the
batter or runner, catcher touching the bat,
player toucing a base, or ball touching
player/non-player. Contact any part of person or
clothing

• SECTION 63 WALK, INTENTIONAL WALK
• Walk 4 pitches thrown out of the strike zone
  awarding batter 1st base.
• Intentional Walk request made to the umpire by
  the defensive coach or catcher, for the putpose
  of awarding the batter first base. No pitches
  are thrown.

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Down East Umpire Association Softball
Rule?3 Players, Substitutes and Coaches
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• SECTION 1 PLAYERS, POSITIONS
• Start with 9 or 10 with DP/FLEX (optional)
• Captains Optional
• Lineup card first initial, last name, jersey ,
  position, batting order and substitutes
• Penalty 1st Warning/2nd or more restricted to
  dugout
• Fielders designated by position . See Diagram.
• All fielders shall be in fair ground at time of
  pitch except catcher.
• Players may change to different position any
  time, except as in 3-32 Note.

• SECTION 2UNIFORMS, PLAYER EQUIPMENT
• Uniforms same color or style. State Association
  Permission
• Jersey required Solid Contrasting Color ¼
  inch border no players with same (0 00
  considered same )
• Uniform 1 logo/trademark/reference 2 ¼ inches per
  item
• USA Flag 2 x 3 inch max allowed with written
  state association approval
• Caps, visors can be mixed Same Color no
  bandana/plastic visors

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• SECTION 2UNIFORMS, PLAYER EQUIPMENT cont.
• Sleeves may vary approximately same length not
  ragged/frayed
• Undergarments black, white, gray or solid school
  color
• Upper body and lower body undergarments do not
  have to match
• Exposed must be same color
• Uniforms No dangerous or reflective buttons or
  ornaments
• No items on pitching hand, wrist, arm or thighs
  that may be judge to be distracting to the batter
• Player shall wear uniform properly as designed by
  manufacturer
• PENALTY remove/correct uniform. Notify coach
• Shoes required plastic, nylon, canvas, leather,
  or synthetic material soft/hard cleats or metal
  cleats Metal Cleats ¾ inch from sole . Note
  Metal toe plates permitted.
• No Jewelry Religions Medical-alert medals (not
  Jewelry) must be taped to body. Exception Hair
  control devices
• ½ inch foam or padding closed over guards, casts,
  braces, splints
• Any equipment judged to by potentially dangers is
  illegal
• PENALTY Section 2 3-6-1 Penalty

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• SECTION 3 SUBSTITUTING
• Substitute not listed on lineup card may play.
  3-1-3 Penalty
• Sub may enter during dead ball coach or
  substitute may report change to umpire. Name/
  of player entering/reentering FLEX/DP change
  Courtesy Runner
• Note Pitcher may return as pitcher 1 time per
  inning
• Plate Umpire Record all lineup card changes and
  report them ot opposing team. Substitute has
  entered the game when
• Runner takes place of runner she replaced
• Pitcher steps on pitchers plate
• Fielder reaches fielding position
• Batter in batters box
• When ball is declared live by plate umpire
• Sub or Courtesy Runner shall not enter game
  unreported. 3-6-7 Pen, 8-9-7
• Anyone my reenter once
• DP/FLEX option declared at pregame conference
• No subs player unable to continue
• Previous batter may run temporary until putout
• Player who could not continue shall be out when
  due to bat
• Team become Defense. 4-31- g
• A player become available

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• SECTION 3 SUBSTITUTING cont.
• Signs of Concussion Remove player appendix a
• Anyone bleeding/bloody shall be directed to leave
  the game until stop bleeding, body/uniform
  cleaned Reentry rule applies

• SECTION 4 ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTE
• May be discovered by umpire or either team once
  ball is live and an illegal substitute has taken
  position as
• Runner she replaced or batter in batters box
• Pitcher on pitchers plate or fielder reaching
  position
• Courtesy-runner if that violates courtesy-runner
  rule
• PENALTY OUT Restricted to Dugout
• Illegal Offensive players discovered
• In batters box before batter-runner reaches 1st
  or putout pitch delivered
• Illegal batter-runner or runner advances, scores
  or causes play to be made allowing another runner
  to advance or score and infraction is discovered
  before next pitch.
• Infraction detected after next pitch
• Game ending play prior to infielders/umpires
  leaving
• PENALTY Out if still on base (2c,2d)Play
  nullified, outs stand runners return (2b,2d)
  play stands (2c) all restricted to dugout

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• SECTION 4 ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTE cont.
• Illegal defensive player discover before next
  pitch
• Involved in a play with a batter ball
• Non-batted ball is touched by an illegal sub
  that leads to runner being putout
• Non-batted ball touched that alters play but no
  runner putout
• PENALTIES
• RESTRICTED dugout/bench for game (3a,3b) offense
  has option(3c) may award bases (3a) batter may
  bat again (3b,c) No pitch if it is a strike,
  pitch counts if a ball
• After a pitch all plays stand but illegal player
  is restricted to bench
• Play stand if play doesnt lead to a putout or
  alter play. Sub restricted.

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 5 COACHING
• Pregame conference with head coach. Verify
  lineup, players/equipment legal
• PENALTY Game will not begin
• Any team member may occupy coaches box
• Coach wears school uniform or jersey/coaching
  shirt with shorts or slacks warm-up suit
• PENALTY coach not allowed on field of play until
  fixed
• Coach may not physically assist a runner
• PENALTY Runner out ball live 8-6-5
• Team personnel may be near a base must vacate
  any area needed by a fielder.
• PENALTY dead ball runner closes home out all
  other runner return
• Any offensive team member other than runner or
  retired runner interferes with batted fair or
  foul fly ball batter out possible double play,
  runner closest to home is out.
• PENALTY Dead ball batter and runner out
  8-6-16,17,19 7-4-12
• Coach may leave bench to attend to a player
  ill/injured

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 6 BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT
• Team must wear or use legal equipment
• PENALTY removed/legal coach and player
  disqualified
• No fake tag without ball
• Shall not carelessly throw a bat
• After game has start may not hit balls to defense
• Stand behind catcher while other team is on
  defense
• No one outside dugout unless legally allowed to
  do so
• Note Bench personnel may warm-up between innings
• Players and subs shall not enter the game
  unreported
• Amplifiers or bullhorns prohibited for coaching
  purposes
• Team personnel shall not do anything to cause an
  illegal pitch
• Only scorekeeping devices are allowed in coachs
  box
• PENALTY Art. 2-10 team warning, next offender
  restricted to dugout. Art. 2 fake tag
  obstruction Art. 7 head coach restricted to
  dugout Art. 8,9,10 may issue a warning, restrict
  to dugout

1. No electronic device for coaching purpose during
   the game
2. Tobacco Prohibited

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 6 BENCH AN D FIELD CONDUCT cont
• Unsporting Acts shall not be committed
• Word/actions to incite
• Profanity/intimidation/deceitful tactics/baiting
  /taunting
• Anything not in sprit of the game
• Team personnel shall not charge and umpire
• Arguing calls by umpires is prohibited
• No throwing equipment
• PENALTY Art. 11-16 may be an ejection Warning
  Art 11,13 coach may be restricted
• Shall not intentional remove lines of batters
  box or field of play
• PENALTY strike/ball may be called team warning
  leading to restriction to dugout if repeated.
• Initiating malicious contact is prohibited
• Team personnel shall not participate in a fight
  coach assists to break it up
• PENALTY ejected (18-19) Play dead, out unless
  putout or scored, all runner return, defender
  ejected
• Anyone restricted to bench may be ejected for
  misconduct. Players remain on bench. Coach leave
  playing area.

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SECTION 7 CHARGED CONFERENCES

• 1 Offensive conference per inning
• Umpire should deny any subsequent request
• No conference if attending to an injured player

• 3 during 7 inning game
• Extra inning 1 per inning
• PENALTY after 3 or 1 in extra innings pitcher
  shall be removed as pitcher for duration of the
  game

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Down East Umpire Association Softball
Rule?4 Starting and Ending Game
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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 1 STARTIN A GAME
• Coach decides if field is playable to start
• Pregame Conference 5 min to game time
• No warm-ups
• Home/Visiting team lineups Verified
• Ground rules
• Verify Player/Equipment Legal
• Home coach may designate special ground rules
  teams must agree or umpire makes a decision. Not
  to supersede Rule Book
• Field marked
• Ball dead if goes over backstop
• Wild pitch, passed balls, batted balls that
  passes through a fence apply 8-4-3c
• Dead ball area if difficult to field ball in a
  spot on the field
• Chalk Live/Dead ball area on unfenced fields
• Visitors bat first
• Play Ball announce by umpire to start game
• Umpires have sole judgement on the safety of
  continued play

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 2 ENDING GAME
• Team behind has completed its turn at bat in the
  7th inning or extra inning unless home team is
  losing
• Regulation Game if
• 5 full inning played 4 ½ home team winning
• Played beyond 5 inning when game is called
• State Adoption suspended games
• If called prior to regulation game suspended
• Tied Score stands State Adoption Rule
• Tie Breaker may be use by State Adoption

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 3 FORFIETED GAME
• Forfeited Game when
• Late appearing after umpire call play ball
  state adoption
• Refuse to continue play once games has started
• Delay more than 1 min after umpire calls play
  ball
• Delay tactics
• Willfully violates rules after being warned
• Less than 9 players to start
• Less than 8 players Out called in that spot
• Home team fails to put field in playing
  conditions when directed by umpire.
• Score 7 0 unless forfeited after of inning
  to be a regulation game score remains the same.

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 4 PROTESTED GAME
• It is optional on the part of a state association
  as to Whether protests are permitted. When
  allowed, protests are permitted regarding rules
  one through nine only. When protests are
  submitted to organizations which do allow the
  filing, such protest shall be submitted using a
  prescribed procedure (10-2-3i). All individual
  and team averages shall be included in the
  official records, except that no pitcher shall be
  credited with a victory or a loss in such a game
  if the game is not completed
• Play Offs must have Protest Committee

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Down East Umpire Association Softball
Rule?5 Dead Ball and Suspension of Play
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Down East Umpire Association Softball
SECTION 1 DEAD BALL ART. 1
Activity /Play /Action Ref Award / Penalties
Pitch touches Batter 5.1.1a Awarded first / except no effort to avoid 8.1.2b, 7.3.2, 7-4-8, 7-4-2
Illegally batted ball 5.1.1b Batter is out / runners return 7.4.8, 7.4.2
Ball hit twice in fair or foul territory 5.1.1b Batter is out / runners return 7.4.13, 7.4.13 exception 8.2.6
Uncaught foul ball 5.1.1d Runners return to base occupied at time of pitch 8.3.2 Exception
Spectator interference 5.1.1d Umpire judgment award that nullifies interference 8.4.3l
Interference by runner 5.1.1e Interfere is out and all runners return to occupied at time of the play. 8.6.10
Interference by retired runner 5.1.1e Runner closest to home is out all other runners return to base occupied at the time of play. 8.6.10
Interference by runner ( foul fly) 5.1.1m Interfere is out and runners return to last occupied base. Strike on the batter 8.6.10b
Interference by the coach or other team members With a thrown ball 5.1.1g For interference by the coach the runner is out. With other team members rule 3.5.4.5 penalty 8.4.2f
Interference by the coach or other team members With a batted ball 5.1.1e Batter / runner is out. If interference prevents a DP runner closest to home is also out. 8.6.16
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Down East Umpire Association Softball
SECTION 1 DEAD BALL ART. 1
Activity /Play /Action Ref Award / Penalties
Fair batted ball over the fence in flight prevented by spectator or players detached equipment 5.1.1f Award all runners home 8.4.3e-g
Fair ball touches spectator, bounces over or lodges in a fence 5.1.1f Award umpires judgment or two bases 8.4.3h,k
Fair ball touches a runner or umpire before or after it passes a fielder and another fielder has a play. 5.1.1f Hit runner is out. Batter is awarded first and all other runners return to base last occupied unless forced to advance. 8.1.2a, 8.4.1f, 8.6.11
A thrown ball , not a pitch which becomes blocked 5.1.1g Award all runners two bases from last base reached at the time of the throw. 8.4.3f
A pitched ball which becomes blocked 5.1.1g Award all runners one base from the time of the pitch. 8.4.3c
Umpire handles live ball, inspect the ball or calls time for any reason. 5.1.1h Runners return to last base they reached or passed. 5.2.1
Fair or Foul ball is caught and the fielder leaves the field of play with one or both feet. 5.1.1i Award all runners one base from the last base reached or passed. Unless it was the third out. Note 8.4.3j
A live ball is intentionally kicked, thrown or carried into dead ball territory 5.1.1k Award all runners two bases from the last base reached or passed. 8.4.3k
Offensive team calls time or any other command in an effort to cause the opposing pitcher to violate the pitching rules. 5.1.1j No runners may advance. Team warning issued for first offense . Subsequent offenders are ejected.
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Down East Umpire Association Softball
SECTION 1 DEAD BALL ART. 1
Activity /Play /Action Ref Award / Penalties
Infielder intentionally drops a fly ball or line drive with less than two out and base runners. DP ball 5.1.1l Batter runner is out and all other runners return base occupied at the time of the pitch. 8.5.7
Illegal pitch not released or released to a base. 5.1.1p All runners advance one base and batter is awarded a ball. 6.2.7 Penalty 6.2.1, 6.2.2
Base runner leaves the base before pitcher releases the pitch. 6.2.4c No pitch is declared and the runner is out. 6.2.4c, 8.6.18
Quick pitch before the batter has taken position or is off balance. 6.2.4b No pitch is declared 6.2.4b
Illegal slide 8.6.13 Runner is out and all other runners return to base occupied prior to infraction.
Malicious interference 8.6.14 Runner is out and ejected. All runners return to the base occupied at the time of the interference.
Ball hitting loose equipment of the team on defense. 5.1.1g All runners advance two bases. 8.4.3f Penalty
Interference by the batter when catcher attempts a putout. 5.1.1q Batter is out. Runners return to the base occupied at the time of the play. 7.4.4
Batter steps backward toward home to avoid be put out. 8.2.8 Batter runner is out and all other runners return to base occupied at the time of the play. 8.2.8
Batter runner fails to advance to first and enters team area. 8.2.4 Batter runner is out. Runners return to the bases occupied at the time of the infraction. 8.2.4
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Down East Umpire Association Softball
SECTION 1 DELAYED DEAD BALL ART. 2, 3 4
Activity /Play /Action Ref Award / Penalties
Illegal Pitch released 5.1.2a The pitch is ruled a ball and runners are awarded one base. If pitch is hit the offensive team has the option of the play or the award . 6.1.1,2,3,4 Penalty
Obstruction of the batter by the catcher or fielder 5.1.2b If batter and all runners advance at least one base. If awarded first base runner only advance if forced. 6.4.12, 8.1.1d
Intentionally touching batted ball with detached player equipment. 5.1.2c Award of three bases if not reached during the play. 8.4.3e
Intentionally touching thrown ball with detached player equipment. 5.1.2c Award or two bases if not made during the play. 8.4.3e
Interference on the catcher by the umpire on at thrown ball. 5.1.2c If the runner is not put out, the runner must return to the occupied at the time of the attempted play. 8.5.6
Obstruction 5.1.3 2.36 Award to the base they would have reached had there been no obstruction.
Contact with the ball with any illegal mitt or glove 8.8.15 The offensive team can take the result of the play or the penalty. Returning the batter to her at bat with the count prior to the play. 8.8.15c
Deliberately removing the helmet in live ball territory 5.1.2e Team warning. Subsequent violators , player and head coach will be restricted to the dugout. 3.6.1 Penalty
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Down East Umpire Association Softball
SECTION 2 SUSPENSION OF PLAY

• Time Shall be Called
• Put the Ball back in play after time or dead
  ball
• Suspension of the Game Field / Weather or
  Other Note After 30 minutes, the umpire may
  declare the game ended or, by state association
  adoption, suspended.
• when a player, bench personnel or spectator is
  ordered from the field of play, or player is
  ordered to secure protective equipment.
• when an umpire or player is incapacitated, unless
  injury occurs during a live ball, then time shall
  not be called until no further advance or putout
  is possible.
• NOTE If necessary, the umpire may suspend play
  immediately if, in the umpires judgment, further
  play may cause injury or jeopardize a
  participants safety. (10-2-3g)
• when a player or coach is granted time for a
  substitution, conference with the pitcher, or for
  similar cause.
• when play is suspended for any other cause,
  including an award of a base after an infraction,
  inspection of the ball, or the ending of a
  half-inning.
• ART. 2 . . . When the ball becomes dead
• no action by the defense during that time can
  cause a player to be put out, except a proper
  dead-ball appeal. (2-1-3b)
• a runner may not advance, nor return to a base
  that was not touched or that the runner was not
  in contact with on a caught fly ball during a
  live ball if the runner had advanced to or beyond
  a succeeding base.
• any runner may advance when awarded a base or
  bases for an act which occurred before the ball
  became dead. All awarded bases must be touched.
  (8-1-2, 8-3-11)
• Two Umpire Signals
• Time and Dead Ball
• Delay Dead Ball
• Put the Ball Back in Play

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Down East Umpire Association Softball
Rule?6 Pitching
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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 1 PITCHING REGULATONS (FP)
• Pivot Foot on pitchers plate Non-pivot foot in
  contact or behind. Both within 24-inch length of
  pitchers plate.
• Shoulder must be in line with 1st and 3rd with
  ball in the glove or hand with hands separated
• Simulate taking a signal from catcher
• Hand together for 1 to 10 seconds.
  Motionless/moving
• Catcher must be with in the box and ready to
  receive a pitch to be a pitcher.
• Pitcher must have ball to be on or near pitching
  plate.
• Pitcher may remove herself from pitching
  position
• Step back w/both feet before hands come together
• Hands together not windup step back w/both
  feet.
• Either foot may be removed first
• PENALTY (Art. 1) Illegal Pitch

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 1 PITCHING REGULATONS (FP)
• Pitch
• Starts 1 hand is taken off ball / any motion
  that is part of windup after hands have been
  brought together
• Hands together and motion starts 1 step forward,
  towards batter. Backwards step allowed prior to
  hands coming together
• Exception 6-1-1f2 Removing from pitchers
  position
• Notes
• Slide not a step
• Crow Hop Leap are Illegal. 2-162-33
• Legal delivery underhand motion
• Release forward past vertical line of body
• Hands below hip wrist no farther away from body
  than elbow
• Delivered on throwing arm side not behind back
  not between legs
• Pitch completed with step toward the batter
• PENALTY (ART. 2,3,4) Illegal Pitch. Delayed Dead
  Ball if pitched Ball on batter Base runners
  advance one base(6-2-2 exception)

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 1 PITCHING REGULATONS (FP)
• Any Windup
• Immediately deliver ball to batter
• No rocker motion no returning hands to ball
• No stop or reversal of forward motion
• 1 ½ revolution of the arm
• Doesnt continue to windup after taking a forward
  step or after ball is released.
• Note continuation is any action causing arm to
  continue past the shoulder
• PENALTY (ART. 2,3,4) Illegal Pitch. Delayed Dead
  Ball if pitched Ball on batter Base runners
  advance one base(6-2-2 exception)

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 2 INFRACTION BY PITCHER (FP)
• Shall not deliberately drop, roll, bounce or etc
  to prevent batter from swinging
• Penalty Illegal Pitch Delayed Dead Ball Ball
  on Batter 1 base award to runner on base.
• Shall not use any substance on pitching hand
  shall not be any substance applied by any player
  wipe off fingers before contacting the ball
  remove distraction items from pitching hand or
  arm
• Penalty Illegal Pitch Delayed Dead Ball Ball
  on Batter 1 base award to runner on base.
• EXCEPTION hit ball coach has option to take
  play or penalty
• Note Delayed Dead Ball Signal and Voiced
• 20 seconds to release next pitch once pitcher has
  ball
• Penalty Ball on batter
• No pitch declared
• Suspension of play
• Quick pitch
• Runner leaves base too soon
• Attempts to pitch before runner return to their
  base.
• Time is Called to cause an illegal pitch
• Penalty (Aft. 4a-d) Dead Ball (4e) live ball
  legal pitch

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 2 INFRACTIONS BY PITCHER (F.P.)
• 1 min 5 pitches between innings
• Note
• Pitcher returning same half inning no warm-up
  pitches
• Umpire may allow more pitches due to weather or
  injury
• Penalty Ball on batter for each pitch in excess
  of 5. Doesnt apply if umpire delays the start of
  play
• Ball slips from hand during backward or forward
  motion, it is a pitch.
• Effect Ball on batter runner may advance with
  liability of being putout Fielder may retrieve
  ball if batter has no chance of hitting it
• EXCEPTION batter has a chance to swing at pitch
  strike is called live ball if batted
• Pitcher shall not throw to a base while in
  contact of pitchers plate after having taking a
  pitching position
• Note pitcher may remove herself from pitchers
  plate
• Illegal pitch if fielder is in the line of
  batters vision or distracts the batter prior to
  pitch being released.
• Shall not deliver a pitcher until fielders are in
  position
• Penalty (Art. 7,8,9) Illegal Pitch Dead Ball
  Ball runners may advance

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 3 INFRACTIONS BY CATCHER (F.P.)
• Inside lines of catchers box when pitch is
  released.
• Penalty Illegal Pitch
• Return ball to pitcher after each pitch except
  after a strikeout or putout by catcher or play on
  a base runner.
• Penalty Ball on batter
• EXCEPTION Intentional Walk w/o pitching

• SECTION 5 BALL ROTATION
• Pitcher may choose any ball to start each half
  inning unless both ball have not been in the
  game bottom of 1st inning pitcher must use an
  unused ball
• Pitcher may request the other ball before
  throwing a warm-up pitch. Otherwise wait until
  the ball goes out of play or becomes blocked..

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Down East Umpire Association Softball
Rule?7 Batting
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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 1 POSITION AND BATTING ORDER
• Player bats according to her position on lineup
  card. (4-1-2) Substitute shall take the place of
  replaced player. Batter follows preceding
  player. Improper Batter in box 1 pitch
  thrown. May be corrected before being putout or
  becoming a base runner.
• After 1st inning, next batter is the batter
  following the last batter to complete her turn at
  bat in preceding inning.
• PENALTIES (Art. 1,2)
• Batter Out defense only appeal after at bat
  completed
• Runner Appeal prior to next pitch, infielders
  leave field proper batter out Runners return,
  outs stand, all actions leading to appeal is
  legal.
• Legal pitch improper batter now legal batter.
• Proper batter called out next to bat will be
  player whose name follows that of proper batter.
• Improper batter become legal batter. Next batter
  is whose name follows such batter.
• Several players bat out of order players turn
  at bat occurs while on base remains on base but
  no Out.

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 2 STRIKES, BALLS AND HITS
• Strike when
• Pitch enter strike zone not struck at
• Struck at and missed
• Foul less than 2 strikes
• Foul tip or foul on attempted bunt(F.P.) even on
  3rd strike.
• Penalty strike (7-3-1)
• Foul ball batted ball contacts batter while in
  box
• Dead ball strike
• Swing and ball hits batter
• Batter prevents ball from entering strike zone
• Offensive player intentionally removes a line.
• Ball is declared when pitch not struck at, not in
  strike zone, illegal pitch or catchers /
  pitchers delay
• EFFECT Pitch hits plate is a ball unless struck
  at
• Foul / fair hit, Bunt (F.P.) touched by bat of
  batter in box.(2-202-8)
• EXCEPTION FOUL TIP

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 3 BATTING INFRACTIONS
• 10 seconds to enter box batter shall not delay
  next pitch
• PENALTY strike may be called, declared out
  strike 3
• Effects
• Batter shall not permit a pitch to touch her
• PENALTY ball or strike unless strike 3 or ball 4

• SECTION 4 BATTER IS OUT
• 1 less players than started with Out when her
  turn to bat
• Batter in box w/illegal bat discover used an
  illegal bat before next pitch
• Batter changes batters box while pitcher is
  ready to pitch
• Batter interferes with catcher lean over plate,
  hinders action at plate, hinders attempted play
  on runner, fails to vacate area for play at plate
• 3rd strike caught
• Runner on 1st 3rd strike with less than 2 outs.

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Down East Umpire Association Softball

• SECTION 4 BATTER IS OUT cont
• Runner on 1st 3rd strike with less than 2 outs.
• Batter contact ball with foot outside batters
  box or touching plate
• Bunt 3rd strike foul
• Foul caught in flight or spectator interference
• Interference foul ball
• Hitting a ball second time
• Throws her bat and interferes with player making
  a play
• PENALTY Section 4 Batter Out Art
  2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,13 Dead Ball Art
  2,6,9,10,11,13 runners return to last base
  occupied Art 2 put out on play stands Art.
  4,11 return to base touch at time of the
  interference. Also 8-6-10 Penalty

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Down East Umpire Association Softball
Rule?8 Batter-Runner and Runner
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Down East Umpire Association Softball
SECTION 1 THE BATTER BECOMES A BATTER-RUNNER

• ART. 1 . . . A batter becomes a batter-runner
  with the right to attempt to score by advancing
  to first, second and third and then home plate in
  the listed order when
• she legally hits a fair ball.
• (F.P.) the catcher fails to catch the third
  strike before the ball touches the ground when
  there are fewer than two outs and first base is
  unoccupied at the time of the pitch, or anytime
  there are two outs.
• an intentional base on balls is awarded (S.P.),
  or a fourth ball is called by the umpire.
• EFFECTS
• (F.P.) The ball is in play unless it has been
  blocked.
• the catcher or another defensive player
  obstructs, hinders or prevents the batter from
  striking or hitting a pitched ball.
• EFFECTS
• The umpire shall give a delayed dead-ball signal.
• If the batter hits the ball and reaches first
  base safely and if all other runners
• have advanced at least one base on the batted
  ball, catcher obstruction is canceled. All action
  as a result of the batted ball stands. No option
  is given. Once a runner has passed a base, the
  runner is considered to have reached that base
  (whether missing the base or not) and no options
  are given.
• Otherwise, the coach or captain of the team at
  bat, after being informed by the plate umpire of
  the obstruction, has the option to take the
  result of the play, or have the obstruction
  enforced by awarding the batter first base and
  advancing all other runners only if forced.
• The catcher or any other fielder shall not
• Step on, or in front of home plate without the
  ball, or
• On a swing or attempted bunt, touch the batter or
  her bat with a runner on third base trying to
  score by means of a squeeze play or a steal.
• PENALTY (Art. 1) The runner would be awarded the
  base on the attempted steal or squeeze. The
  batter shall also be awarded first base on the
  obstruction and the ball is dead.
• ART. 2 . . . A batter is awarded first base when
• a fair batted ball strikes the person, attached
  equipment, or clothing of an umpire or a runner.

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Down East Umpire Association Softball
SECTION 1 THE BATTER BECOMES A BATTER-RUNNER

• EFFECTS
• 1. If, after touching a fielder (including the
  pitcher), the ball is in play.
• 2. If, after passing a fielder other than the
  pitcher, and no other fielder had a chance to
  make an out, the ball is in play.
• 3. If before passing a fielder without being
  touched, the ball is dead. If the runner is hit
  by the ball while off base and before it has
  passed an infielder,
• excluding the pitcher, or if it passes an
  infielder and another fielder has an opportunity
  to make an out, the runner is out and the
  batter-runner is
• entitled to first base without liability to be
  put out. Any runner not forced by the
  batter-runner must return to the base reached
  prior to the interference.
• When a fair ball touches a runner who is in
  contact with a base, the ball is dead or live
  depending on whether the closest fielder is in
  front of
• the base (live) or behind the base (dead). The
  runner is not out unless she intentionally
  interferes.
• 4. If the fair batted ball hits an umpire before
  passing a fielder other than the pitcher, the
  ball is dead and the batter-runner is entitled to
  first base without
• liability to be put out.
• (F.P.) a pitched ball not swung at nor called a
  strike touches any part of the batter's person or
  clothing. It does not matter if the ball strikes
  the ground
• before hitting the batter. The batter's hands are
  not to be considered a part of the bat.
• PENALTIES (Art. 2).
• The ball is dead. The batter is entitled to one
  base without liability to be put out. If no
  attempt is made to avoid being hit or there is an
  obvious attempt to get hit by the pitch, the
  batter will not be awarded first base unless it
  is ball four.
• If the batter is hit anywhere on the body,
  including on the hands, while swinging at a pitch
  and hits the ball fair or foul, the ball is dead
  and a
• strike called. If it is strike three, the batter
  is out.
• SECTION 2 BATTER-RUNNER IS OUT
• The batter-runner shall be called out when
• ART. 1 . . . (F.P.) The catcher drops the third
  strike and is legally put out prior to reaching
  first base with two outs or less than two outs
  and first base is not occupied at the time of the
  pitch.

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Down East Umpire Association Softball
SECTION 2 BATTER-RUNNER IS OUT

• EXCEPTION (S.P.) The ball is dead on a base on
  balls, or on a hit batter (F.P.) the ball is
  dead, the batter-runner is not out and runners
  cannot advance unless forced.
• PENALTY (Art. 4) The ball is dead and the
  runner(s) must return to the last base touched at
  the time of the infraction.
• ART. 5 . . . She runs outside the three-foot
  (0.91m) lane and, in the judgment of the umpire,
  interferes with the fielder taking the throw at
  first base (there must be a throw) however, the
  batter-runner may run outside the three-foot
  (0.91m) lane to avoid a fielder attempting to
  field a batted ball. A runner is considered
  outside the running lane if either foot is
  completely outside the lane and in contact with
  the ground.
• ART. 6 . . . The batter-runner interferes with a
  fielder attempting to make an initial play,
  interferes with a fielder attempting to throw the
  ball, intentionall