Bunt Defense distance from batter?

[Kerplunk!]

I Coach ASA Rec Ball 10U. Requested weak Batter to Sac bunt. 1st & 3rd run up to within 10 feet to intimidate her (Very close). Is there an ASA rule on defenders distance from batter?

Thanks for your reply

[Bretman]

There's no rule on distance, but there is this:

Rule 6-5-B: A fielder shall not take a position in the batter's line of vision or, with deliberate unsportsmanlike intent, act in a manner to distract the batter. A pitch does not have to be released. EFFECT: The offending player shall be ejected from the game.

This leaves the degree of "distraction" up to the umpire's judgment. At this age level, before resorting to an ejection I'm probably going to address it with the player's coach. More than likely they simply aren't aware of this rule.

But...before I do that I'm going to have to see the defense get so close that it's pretty obvious they're distracting the batter. They're allowed to charge in for a bunt and even ten feet might not be all that unreasonable.

How close is too close is kind of a grey area. Individual umpire judgment is involved and each instance is handled on a case-by-case basis. For instance:

How do you, as an observer, know for 100% certain that the intent of these fielders was to "intimidate" the batter? If, as you stated, this was a "weak" batter, it might be reasonable to expect the ball wouldn't go much farther than ten feet if she hit it.

Do you suppose these 10U fielders are coming up with strategies to "intimidate" batters on their own. I doubt it. You would think if that's their intent, then it is a coached technique. Maybe the coach is the one that needs talked to or warned.

[shil]

I Coach ASA Rec Ball 10U. Requested weak Batter to Sac bunt. 1st & 3rd run up to within 10 feet to intimidate her (Very close). Is there an ASA rule on defenders distance from batter?

Thanks for your reply

I doubt the coach said "Get up there and imtimidate that batter!" It was probably more like, "Get up there, she's bunting!" If it's a bunt situation, and I know she's bunting, I have my players move as close as they dare. If I were you, I would have the batter swing away, or teach them to fake bunt, then swing away, then the batter would be intimidating the fielders. As they move back , put the bunt back on. Deal with it, teach your team how to "win", not how to "whine".

[SoCalASABlue]

At District-level rec tournaments I've umpired the past 2 years, we've been told that 1B and 3B bunt defenders cannot be in front of the pitcher until the ball is released. Assuming a healthy stride from the pitchers plate at the 10U level and the batter being at the front of the box, this would probably result in the defenders being 20-25 feet away at the time of the bunt attempt.

[Bretman]

At District-level rec tournaments I've umpired the past 2 years, we've been told that 1B and 3B bunt defenders cannot be in front of the pitcher until the ball is released.

Somebody invented their own rule that's not in the rule book.

[SoCalASABlue]

Agreed, Bretman...it was on a supplemental rules sheet handed out to the umpires by the UIC...I think it was for safety reasons...

[Kerplunk!]

Thank you all for your replies,
It appears the infield advances at their own risk while defending the bunt during Championship play; therefore the ASA Rule Book does not specifically address my distance question - Until Rule 6,5,B is violated. I do like the tournament rule suppliment information, where corners cannot pass the pitchers mound until after the pitch is released.

Shil, The only time my players "whine" is when they have to listen to me talk about the "win" before they get their snack. Somehow they are able to deal with it.

Great website! I am opening up my wallet now.
Take care

[shil]

Thank you all for your replies,
It appears the infield advances at their own risk while defending the bunt during Championship play; therefore the ASA Rule Book does not specifically address my distance question - Until Rule 6,5,B is violated. I do like the tournament rule suppliment information, where corners cannot pass the pitchers mound until after the pitch is released.

Standing in front of the pitcher is not the same as "pass the pitchers mound". The mound is 40ft. away and no coach will keep his/hers corners back 40ft. before the pitch. I have never heard of that rule.

[shil]

Thank you all for your replies,
It appears the infield advances at their own risk while defending the bunt during Championship play; therefore the ASA Rule Book does not specifically address my distance question - Until Rule 6,5,B is violated. I do like the tournament rule suppliment information, where corners cannot pass the pitchers mound until after the pitch is released.

Standing in front of the pitcher is not the same as "pass the pitchers mound". The mound is 40ft. away and no coach will keep his/hers corners back 40ft. before the pitch. I have never heard of that rule.

Shil, a couple things to note the OP said 10u so that is 35' , I believe what was meant by "in front of the pitcher" imagine an arc drawn from foul line to foul line, and I have also seen in local leagues in SoCal the stipulation that a fielder may not start closer than the pitcher's plate. Granted not an ASA rule but it is out there.

I haven't been in rec ball for years, so I don't think in those terms, my bad. I guess anything is possible in local leagues.