ASA fastpitch - batter hitting ball in the dirt

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by RM85

I recently began coaching a 12U ASA team after a couple of years with a USSSA team, and I don't have a rulebook (great admin in this league...not).

Recently one of my girls hit a pitched ball after it had bounced before reaching the plate (took my "be aggressive" admonition to extremes!) and the result was a base hit! But the umpire said it was a dead ball because it had hit the dirt before she hit it.

I argued that the dead ball ruling may be correct in slow pitch but not in fastpitch - to no avail. Fortunately, the girl got another base hit, so no harm was done, but I'd like to know for future reference....what was the correct call?

Thanks - and I'll keep trying to get a rulebook! Still can't believe the ASA doesn't put their rulebook online like the other organizations.

You can purchase an ASA rulebook at their website. If you really want one that badly, don't blame ASA or your league administration for your lack of one. Instead, take action.

Now, to your question. Your umpire would have been correct in his ruling, had it been a SP game. However, since we are talking FP here, the original hit should have remained a hit. In FP the ball is live when it hits the dirt in front of homeplate.