I have an ASA FP rules question.

[clueless]

Hello and happy spring to all. Our local youth fast pitch league has affiliated with ASA. While looking through the 2005 ASA rules book, I came upon something that I'm not real clear about. Specifically, I'm referring to Rule 8 - Section 1 - Art B both (1) and (2). Btw, this is on page 102 of the ASA 2005 "Official Rules of Softball Team Edition".

My understanding had always been that a batter becomes a batter/runner any time there's a dropped 3rd strike with first base open. However, the above cited rules left me with the impression that that was only the case with less than 2 outs. The rule appears to say with 2 outs, the batter becomes a batter/runner only when first base is open.

Am I reading this correctly? Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide.

[Steve M]

Clueless,
Glad to have you around, but you are not reading that correctly - or at least not understanding what you're reading correctly.

If, with less than 2 outs AND 1B is open at the time of the pitch.......

OR

With 2 out (and 1B is open or occupied) at the time of the pitch.....

[mo99]

Welcome Clueless. Yes,I believe you are mis-understanding the dropped third strike rule.The batter may attempt to advance when a dropped third strike occurs when first base is not occupied regardless of the number of outs.The batter may run on a dropped third strike with two outs even if first base is occupied.I hope this clears the rule up for you and again,welcome.

Jeff
NCAA Umpire
NFHS Umpire
ASA Umpire

[mo99]

Sorry,Steve answered your question while I was typing.

Jeff
NCAA Umpire
NFHS Umpire
ASA Umpire

[clueless]

Thanks a million! Yep, I wasn't reading it right. As soon as I read your replies, I knew where I was going wrong. I need to work on my reading comprehension. Thanks again. I will definitely be around and I'll be referring our league directors, coaches, players, and officials to this excellent site!

[greymule]

The rule appears to say with 2 outs, the batter becomes a batter/runner only when first base is open.

Literally, the rule does say that, but it's wrong.

I wasn't reading it right. I need to work on my reading comprehension.

Not really. You're not the first to pose a question about this wording. The error has been in the book for years.

Many posters have offered substitute language, such as:

. . . When the catcher fails to catch the third strike before the ball touches the ground, unless

1. First base is occupied and
2. There are fewer than two outs

[DaveASA/FED]

I think of it as the D3K rule is in effect anytime 1st base is NOT occupied and anytime there are 2 outs. That is two easy things for me to remember, somebody on 1st? No, then d3k is on.

Yes-are there 2 outs? no-then no d3k, yes-d3k is on.