Softball

[Steve M]

Roger,
Here in Pa, with the bench-clearing brawl that leaves both teams with less than 8 players, we'd just have a "suspended game". The forfeiting would be left to the schools adminitrators and/or the PIAA. In any other state, yup, take paycheck you got before game and head off into sunset.

[Dakota]

This is a FED discussion, and all I have with me now is an ASA rulebook. Anyway, here is the ASA rule:

Rule 1 - Definitions:
DISQUALIFIED PLAYER A player removed from the game for a rule violation. A team may continue to play shorthanded (Rule 4-1-D) if no substitutes are available. Any disqualified player discovered participating in the game will constitute a forfeit.
EJECTED PLAYER A player or coach removed from the game by the umpire, usually for an unsportsmanlike act or conduct. A flagrant act will require the player or coach to leave the grounds for the remainder of the game. A team may NOT continue play shorthanded (Rule 4-1-D). If no substitutes are available the game is a forfeit.

RULE 4. PLAYERS, COACHES, SUBSTITUTES
SECTION 1. Players
D. Short-Handed Rule
2. To continue a game once started with a full team listed on batting order:
a. If a team begins play with the required number of players as listed, that team may continue a game with one less player than it started with (Slow Pitch and Coed) or one less player the is currently in the line-up (Fast Pitch), whenever a player leaves the game for any reason other than ejection. NOTE: Under no circumstances shall a team be permitted to bat less than nine (Slow Pitch) or eight (Fast Pitch).

I thought FED's rule was very similar, if not the same. Maybe not.

[Edited by Dakota on Jan 22nd, 2001 at 05:43 PM]

[Roger Greene]

Dakota,
I'm not aware of a Fed rule similar to this. I've got an all night shift at the office tonight. If there arn't too many arrests I'll search the Fed book again.

Thanks,
Roger Greene,
Mumber Ut

[bluezebra]

FED changed the short-handed rule years ago to allow a team to continue with 8 players NO MATTER what the reason. I'm not aware of a change back.

Bob

[Roger Greene]

Thanks, Bob.

[Dakota]

Thanks. Fortunately for the integrity of the game, I don't do Fed games.

Just my opinion, but I think the ASA rule is better. More complicated, but better. Flagrant & dangerous acts of unsportsmanlike behavior should carry more serious consequences than an unreported sub, for example.

[DanSummers]

I just want to thank Steve, Roger, Dakota, and anyone else who helped explain the unreported substitue rule. It great to get help from other officials and belong to the Officials forum. I look forward to reading other subjects that will appear.