First Base - Orange/White

[fasterpitch92701]

An odd "situation" (perhaps?) - first baseman playing up has a hard line drive hit to her left side, fair ball, hits off her glove. It's a reaction/protection thing as much as anything else. Regardless, ball deflects off of her glove to the fence in front of the dugout, directly in line with the 1st/2nd base path. She grabs the ball and then dives back to first, touching the orange side of 1st as that is the only part of first base within the line from where she picked up the ball and the bag and the runner is charging towards the bag at full speed but does not beat the tag (barely).

Blue calls the runner safe based on defense not touching the white bag. Ok, fine.

Now... an observation... I understand why the call was made but am wondering about the results based on the alternative, trying to touch the white first base by the defense. Specifically, if the first baseman dives to the white bag there is an obvious collision scenario. In a perfect world the first baseman (if she had the time to stand) could have reached out and tagged the runner, however, there was no time to make that play.

The safety aspect originally intended by use of the orange bag now becomes an obstruction forcing the defensive player to physically intervene into the base runners path by going over the orange bag as she tries to touch the white bag. Kaboom.

I don't imagine this happens too often but it does happen and, yes, it's not a perfect world. Are there any provisions or exceptions to the "you have to touch the white" rule?

Insights/commentary appreciated.

Enjoy in good health.

[SoCalASABlue]

ASA Rule 8, Section 2, Item M4 states "On any force out attempt from the foul side of 1B the defense and the batter-runner may use either the white or the colored portion of the base."

[fasterpitch92701]

Well, that clears that up ! Thanks !

[broadband]

Picture it like a drop-3rd, and the catcher throwing down the foul side of the line to 1st base.

[Jalamander]

Well, that clears that up !

Was this an ASA game? For ASA and Fed, yes.
Be aware other associations may be different. In Little Leage softball (rule 7.15) if the defense touches only the colored portion of the base the batter-runner would be safe. Conversly, if the batter-runner touches only the white it is treated as a missed base.

[MTR]

Well, that clears that up !

In Little Leage softball (rule 7.15) if the defense touches only the colored portion of the base the batter-runner would be safe. Conversly, if the batter-runner touches only the white it is treated as a missed base.

How can LL mess up such a simple rule and by doing so negate the purpose of the equipment?

[fasterpitch92701]

It was an ASA game at the region 14 qualifier. The offense appealed an "out" call after the play, after the teams had entered/left the dugouts for the next inning. The offense coach talked to one blue. The two blues met, discussed, then called everyone back out to the pre-out-called positions... it would have been the 3rd out had it of stood. It didn't. So, now, with a runner at first, two outs and new life, a single followed by a home run. It cost the team on defense a run at nationals. However, the team on defense shouldn't have played poorly enough to let a late decision by a blue make or break that event.

So, water under the bridge, learn a little, move on. I believe the coach on offense during "the event" knew the final call was bogus but just let it ride. Later on in the game, during a brief comeback run, a ball was hit over the fence by the other team. The fielder crashed through the fence, missing the ball by 15 feet. The same coach claimed that knocking down the fence allowed the home run. Blues didn't buy that one.

Water under the bridge. Move on. But... if that discussion ever comes up again the team on defense will know the rule very... very.... very well.

[broadband]

Personally, if I was taking a team to ANY ASA tournament, I'd know the rules just as good as the umpires. It only serves to benefit the team by doing so. Its really a shame how many coaches 'think' they know the rules, and in actuality, are far from knowing it at all. I ask coaches sometimes after some plays, hey, do you have a 'bathroom reader' book? Some say yea. I suggest to throw it out, and put the ASA book in its place. Get a chuckle most of the time.

[GIMNEPIWO]

Personally, if I was taking a team to ANY ASA tournament, I'd know the rules just as good as the umpires. It only serves to benefit the team by doing so. Its really a shame how many coaches 'think' they know the rules, and in actuality, are far from knowing it at all. I ask coaches sometimes after some plays, hey, do you have a 'bathroom reader' book? Some say yea. I suggest to throw it out, and put the ASA book in its place. Get a chuckle most of the time.

Speaking from both sides ... there are many Umpires who do not know the rules very well and may benefit from your 'bathroom reader' advice ... I would say most of those appear to be ones who are unwilling to open the book or discuss situations with fellow Umpires in order to make sure they get the calls correctly and the game is officiated with some level of consistency ... And you are correct, as a Coach there are many 'rules' that I felt certain that I was 100% correct on and I was not ... Becoming an Umpire has actually made me a better, or at least more knowledgable Coach ...