Quote:
Originally posted by Larks
Whats up Blues? I usually post a lot on the basketball side of this forum since thats my sport but I do play softball. Mostly ASA C and U-trip C. I'd like some feedback on changing the game ball out.
Most of the fields we play at, we are required to provide our own game balls. Each team gives the other a ball to start with and if there are any home runs or unretrievable balls hit out of play, the batting team throws in a replacement.
Last night (ASA) we had a ball hit well out of play onto another field. I asked the umpire if we could throw in a replacement (also brand new) ball since the other one was out of play and further had been used for about 4 innings. He denied my request because the original ball "was coming back in".
What is the rule for changing the ball out? Does the ball have to go out of play? Can a team change the ball out before an at-bat starts? Or, does the team have to wait until the ball cant be retrieved and / or the start of a new inning.
U-trip and ASA please.
Thanks
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Speaking ASA
Only the pitcher at the beginning of each half inning may request a change in the ball. Once asked, s/he must accept the ball that comes out of the umpire's bag.
In the bottom of the 1st inning, if a new ball is still available to the umpire, the new ball should be put into play after the visitors bat.
If a ball goes out of play, whichever ball comes out of the bag should go into the game. If you want to replace a ball out of play with a new one, I don't have a problem with that, but it isn't going to the pitcher, it's going in the bag. If two go out relatively close manner, I will accept the ball from the team and put that into the game if the other two are not available.
The only other time a ball should be removed from play is if it is damaged.