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ASA COUNCIL FINAL
As their first order of business at their annual business session (November 17), ASA delegates approved rejected a number of changes to playing rules.
Playing Rules
Effective 2006, the pitching distance for ASA Gold is extended to 43 feet. SPY note: the sponsors said the change would allow pitchers to acclimate to the college standard, and enable college coaches to evaluate pitchers at the additional distance. SPY notes that the change also conforms to the recent decision by ISF to adopt a 43 ft distance. The Council specifically rejected a proposal to extend the distance for 18U.
Effective 2006, foul tip is redefined to read: A batted ball that goes sharply and directly from the bat to the catchers hands(s) or glove/mitt and is legally caught by the catcher.
Effective 2006, flex is defined: The player whom is initially listed in the 10th spot on the line-up card may play any defensive position, and may enter the game on offense only in the Designated Players (DP) batting position. The Council rejected an amendment which would have allowed 12 players on JO line-ups including 2 extra players who would bat and a flex player who would only play defense.
Effective 2006, designated player is defined: The player who is initially on the line-up card in the teams batting order but not in the defensive lineup.
Effective 2006, the rules permit all defensive players to use either a glove or mitt.
Effective 2006, 0, 00, 3, and 03 are considered different numbers.
Effective 2006, the double-base rule is clarified: Whenever a play is being made by an infielder on a batter-runner, the defense must use the white portion and the batter-runner the colored portion. The batter-runner is out when there is a play being made at 1st base and the batter-runner touches only the white, providing the defense appeals prior to the batter-runner returning to the first base. Once the runner returns to the base, no appeal can be made. The Council also approved a motion that the double-base rule should apply whenever the batter-runner is advancing to 1st base, regardless of where the ball is hit to the infield or outfield. A third motion allows the batter-runner to touch either white or colored on an extra-base hit or balls hit to the outfield. Still another approved motion allows a base runner to tag up on a fly ball using either white or colored portion. Also approved: letting the base runner return to the white or colored portion on an attempted pickoff play.
The Council rejected an amendment which would have eliminated chin straps. An amendment which would have excluded religious medals from the definition of jewelry was withdrawn. The Council rejected a proposal to limit pitching in 18U and 16U B games to 53 mph (thankfully). Similarly, the Council rejected a proposal for B tournaments which would have required continuous batting of all players in attendance; no flex or DP, and all players must play defense for 2 innings unless a run-rule is in effect (an old rec ball requirement).
CODE
The Council restored two pool games to Gold and 18A but, 18A and other Class A only, the pool games will be used to seed the bracket.
Gold, the amendment, effective 2006, reads:
pool play providing each team with two additional games shall be used. Teams must participate in pool play to be eligible for the double-elimi8nation bracket. These games will be for recruitment purposes only. A parallel amendment requires that the draw for the double-elimination bracket precede the draw for pool play, and for a redraw to ensure that teams do not face bracket opponents in pool play. Teams shall be protected n both the double elimination bracket and pool play as per existing rules.
Gold will continue to have 64 teams. Beginning in 2006, the two host berths are eliminated; a qualifying tournament in Oklahoma City Hall of Fame Stadium to award these two berths was approved. ASA officials indicated this tournament will occur in late July and will not conflict with any Sector tournaments.
An amendment moves Gold opening ceremonies to Sunday, with the tournament to conclude on Saturday.
Class A. The Council specifically agreed that the two pool games should seed the double elimination bracket, and rejected motions to delete the qualifying provisions.
The triple elimination bracket was specifically repealed for Gold and Class A.
A motion which would have deleted the requirement that Gold play in Oklahoma City every year was rejected.
The Council rejected several proposals which would have prohibited college players from participating in JO programs.
The Council rejected proposals which would have allowed Class A teams to pick up players from anywhere in their region (not just their association).
Still to come:
Elections
2006 Host City
Hall of Fame 2006
Restructuring of ASA Board of Directors
Report from ISF