Rules Myths Part 2

[TwoBits]

Every year I post a modified version of the "Softball Rules Myths" found on Eteamz. I have modified it for both high school baseball and softball and try to show the difference between the two and with the major leagues. I've made some changes and additions this year, and would appreciate any input on what I've written.

Before critiquing, take into account this is written for youth leagues ranging from rec ball to travel teams. Baseball is included since it is expected to be able to umpire both baseball and softball in this area. The softball rules are from the NFHS code and not ASA.

This is part two since the thread would be too long.

Thanks in advance.


Top Baseball/Softball Rule Myths
PLEASE REMEMBER that these are MYTHS and therefore are all FALSE unless otherwise noted by high school or local league rules.

Appeals
· It is a force out when a runner is called out for not tagging up on a fly ball. FALSE. Failing to retouch is not a force. If a runner is called out for the 3rd out on appeal for not retouching (tagging up), any preceding runs score unless the appeal is made before they cross the plate.
· An appeal on a runner who missed a base cannot be a force out. FALSE. A runner who misses a base they were forced to and it is properly appealed for the 3rd out, can nullify any runs that score.
· No run can score when a runner is called out for the third out for not tagging up. FALSE. If a runner is called out for the 3rd out on appeal for not retouching (tagging up), any preceding runs score unless the appeal is made before they cross the plate.
· You must tag the base with your foot on a force out or appeal. FALSE. Any portion of the fielder’s body or glove may be used to touch the base. Even if the fielder has the ball in his/her hand and touches the base with her empty glove would still generate an out.
· The ball must always be returned to the pitcher before an appeal can be made. FALSE. Appeals may either be made at any time during a live ball situation by tagging a base that a runner failed to tag up or touching a base that a runner missed (with a request to the umpire that is what the defense is appealing). In high school rules, the defense may also make an appeal on a runner after play is stopped on any base running infraction during a dead ball. Any defensive player or coach can do this by request to the proper umpire that they are appealing the infraction.

Pitching
· The ball is always immediately dead on a balk. FALSE, but this is TRUE if a league is using high school rules, but in baseball only. In softball, the term “balk” is replaced with the term “illegal pitch”. However, in softball an illegal pitch is a delayed dead ball and may be hit by the batter if the pitch is released. In this case, after the play ends, the batting team may elect to take the illegal pitch penalty or take the result of the play.
· With no runners on base, it is a ball if the pitcher starts his windup and then stops. FALSE, but this is TRUE if a league is using high school rules.
· The pitcher must come to a set position before a pick-off throw. FALSE. The pitcher must come set only before pitching to the batter. This is a baseball rule only as pickoffs are not used in softball.
· The pitcher must step off the rubber before a pick-off throw. FALSE. The pitcher may remain in contact with the rubber during a pickoff. This is a baseball rule only as pickoffs are not used in softball.
· The pitcher's foot must remain in contact with the pitching plate until release. FALSE. Pushing off the rubber during the pitch is actually encouraged by coaches teaching the proper technique. In softball, the pivot foot (the one doing the pushing) must drag and remain in contact with the ground.
· In softball, the pitcher must release the ball after the first time it passes the hip toward the plate. FALSE. By rule, the pitcher is not allowed to make two complete revolutions on a pitch. Starting the ball behind the hip, wind milling, and releasing the ball is not two complete revolutions.

Sources: On the Internet…http://www.eteamz.com/baseball/rules/obr/myths/
http://eteamz.active.com/softballumpires/files/Softball_Myth's.doc
2006 National Federation of High Schools Baseball Rules Book
2006 National Federation of High Schools Softball Rules Book
2006 Edition Official Baseball Rules (as published by “The Sporting News”)