Proposed ASA Rule Changes #1

[tcannizzo]

Mike wrote:
Hey, look, Tony's still alive!!!
Gone but not forgotten.
Back but not umpiring.
Coaching 12-U.
Now just another PITA coach who thinks he knows something about softball and rules and such.

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Originally Posted by tcannizzo
Bunt – A batted ball not swung at, but instead hit by the batter who holds the bat in the path of the ball and taps it slowly within the infield

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a.) Define "swung"
b.) Define "slowly" - there is something called a push bunt which is a hard bunt intended to pass the pitcher or an agreessively charging defender.
c.) "Infield" implies fair territory, which would conflict with a 3rd strike bunt foul.

No argument the wording could be better, but your questions are the type of things that are causing folks to believe there is a need to define it instead of leaving up to the umpire's judgment. We all know when we see a bunt and I don't need a rule to provide specs.

As I replied earlier, then why the effort necessary to define "Bunt"?

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Charged Conference – It is not a charged conference if the pitcher is removed from the pitching position during a conference.

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Comment: Free ticket for coach abuse. Call time, go talk to your SS/2B, change the pitcher, no charge. Next inning, change pitchers back to original.

Not really. It is no different than what they can do now, it is just a matter of when the umpire is informed. And it is a valid argument if concerning the pitcher's health.
Concerning pitcher's health: Yes, valid argument, but with current rule, as a coach, if I am concerned about pitcher's health, I am notifiing PU before entering field of play. Said notification will include some sort of justification. New rule creates opportunities.

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Eliminate disqualification for an unreported substitute violation.

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Comment: This change should be for JO only. This is not a bad rule for adult ball as there is more liklihood for the adult player to be deliberatley involved in the unreported violation. Thus punishes a kid who is more likely to be an innocent victim.

Regardless of the change, I think you have it backwards. FP coaches are much more likely to be intelligent enough and sly enough to try to intentionally try to slip one by the opponent or umpire
C'mon Mike. Sure there are devious travel coaches. I happen to be one. But there are just as many devious coaches of adult teams. The likelyhood of an adult player being aware of the shennanigans is orders of magnitude greater than that of a youth player.


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Allow an unlimited batting order in Girl’s B FP and all FP pool play.
Comment: Good change.

That depends on whether pool play is for seeding or not and the ramifications of going short-handed being addressed.
Class B is just that. It is about participation.
Short-handed is still the same. Drop below 8 and you are done.