2009 ASA Rule Changes Approved

[AtlUmpSteve]

Yeah, you would think it is that obvious, that a live ball appeal must be made by a defensive player, with the ball, touching a player or missed base, who verbalizes or otherwise indicates the intent to appeal. But the rule 8-7 F-I Effect 2 only says properly appealed, and defensive team, and I can only assume that some ucking fidiot (Sorry, John , but it fits) anally read that one section without any context and allowed a coach or someone else to verbalize what the appeal was.

This was Bernie's, and people generally accepted his position that it was unclear as written.

[AtlUmpSteve]

I am going to disagree with Mike's statement that unreported subs will have no penalty. All of the penalties and effects in Rule 4-6.C (1-9) described, remain, EXCEPT that there unreported sub is now NOT disqualified as a secondary effect.

So, if appealed after hitting, but before a following pitch or play, treat as a reported sub that has (effectively) now batted out of order. If appealed after making a play defensively, the offense has the option of the result of the play or nullifying the play (a do-over assuming the prior count).

As it used to be.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

I am going to disagree with Mike's statement that unreported subs will have no penalty. All of the penalties and effects in Rule 4-6.C (1-9) described, remain, EXCEPT that there unreported sub is now NOT disqualified as a secondary effect.

I guess that depends on what you think is a "penalty". For subpara 3, yes.

So, if appealed after hitting, but before a following pitch or play, treat as a reported sub that has (effectively) now batted out of order.

Okay, but that isn't a penalty for the Unreported Sub. It is an out that probably wouldn't have occurred, but it also is ruling another player out, not the one who violated the rule. BTW, I'm not completely sure this is "never" the player's fault especially in adult ball.

Look at the effect for subpara 4, 5 & 6. If s/he is not DQ'd, there is no longer a need to replace her/him on a base in other situations?

I cannot remember which committee (Slow Pitch rules, maybe) where someone was asked "What is the penalty?" when noted that DQ was too severe a penalty. The response was to the effect that they believed it would be an out.

I'm curious as to how close the author looked at the effects before proposing the changes.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

...This was Bernie's, and people generally accepted his position that it was unclear as written.

That is what I was getting at with the technical correction comment.

There is this wording in the rule book:

When the runner leaves a base to advance to another base before a caught fly ball has touched a fielder, provided the ball is returned to an infielder and properly appealed.

(8-7-F)