ASA question? Mens Adult, Tampa, FL City League
 

Just wanted to bounce this off the boards. The team we were playing pitcher was pitching behind the pitchers mound. I asked the ump about it and he says he ok and to read the rule book. I told him that only the Seniors can pitch 6' behind the mound. I have also helped this ump in the past with a few rules, so there is history.

Just wondering if your umpires are confused also. I don't have 2008 book so the umpire does not want to look at my 2007 rule book. If you have an 2008, can you tell me what is says?

2008 playing rule changes state.
Rule 6 section 1 A. Pitching Regulations Slow Pitch (Seniors Only) The pitcher may take a position from the front edge to six feet behind the pitcher's plate, within the 24'' of the plate.

I don't know, being a Volunteer fan and all........well, okay. You are correct, in ASA ball, the use of a "pitcher's box" is ONLY at the Senior SP level. Of course, from what I understand, the men's SP in the Tampa area is pretty weak with some seriously ba$tardized rules, but that's just what I hear from some umpries down there.

SWFLGuy, want to chime in here?

Let him be back there. When someone is drinking, their reactions are slower and he could get hurt being so close to the batter.

When the umpire said "read the rulebook" he may have meant (or even said) "read the local rules". City leagues are allowed to make adjustments as they see fit....perhaps the powers-that-be in the Tampa Parks and Rec Department have installed a local rule (mimicing the seniors) for safety purposes?

I find that the further local leagues stray fron the ASA book the more problems arise.

While I prefer calling FP, I do work mens SP twice a week. Mondays in one town, Wednesdays in another. I've been involved with the Monday town for a long time. There's only one rule modification. I am new to the Wednesday league...and there are several local rules there. At the umpires meeting I asked for a rundown of all the local rule modifications (we were not provided with a copy of the local rules). Here's what I was told:

HR Equalizer
Teams may start with 8 players
Matball (there's a mat...plate + mat are strikes)
12 run mercy rule

Me: "That's it?"
Response: "That's it."

First game, second batter. F1 misses plate and (huge) mat with three straight pitches. Batter trots to 1B. I call him back. Then partner tells me "they start with a 1-1 count here...been that way for 20 years".

NOW who looks like the idiot?

Jackasses.

I don't umpire ASA or any other adult leagues anymore; just FHSAA high school ball. A lot of those local leagues have odd rules. I did enjoy the "Senior" games with over-runs at all bases and the "commit line" down 3rd--- kind of like calling a game in slow motion !

Easy way out of that situation. Tell them to show you the "special" rules.

If they cannot, point at logo on your shirt, hat, ball bag, wherever, and tell them these are the rules for tonight.:D

Dont forget the ugly clown pipi longstocking socks! Logo secreted into them as well...

I was in Tampa for a number of years. They only had Mens Leagues, never adult men. :)

That's why when people ask me what level I umpire, I respond the same...

"Supposedly adults."

For those of you that have been around awhile...you may remember a poster that went by the name of Ed on the old McGriff's board...

His term for the grown-up (physically) slow pitch players was "AA"

Alleged Adults....

He had some great stories from his games........:)

I have always felt that term applied better than any!