ASA Fastpitch: Ball in Circle

[MA_Ump]

Hi--

Does ASA Fastpitch allow the ball to be thrown to the circle and be in possession of a player other than the P, so as to initiate the need for players to return to base or advance?

Not sure if this is clear, so here is the situation:

R1 at 3b, ball pitched to batter. R1 takes aggressive lead, C throws ball back to P, within the circle. R1 immediately breaks for home when C releases ball. P throws ball back to C, R1 caught in rundown. Rundown proceeds with several throws back and forth. C is backed up by P, then 1b, and 3b backed up by SS then LF. Finally R1 returns to 3rd, safe. Ball is thrown to circle, which is occupied by 2b, covering area as rundown begins. With R1 standing on 3rd and 2b in possession of ball in circle, players begin to walk back to positions. R1 notices that P does not have ball and races home, which is left unoccupied as defense thought play was over b/c ball was in circle and no play being made.

Is the correct call here that the R1 is out, ball in circle (even though not in possession of P), or safe, P must have ball in circle and other player's possession is irrelevant?

MA_Ump

[wadeintothem]

Youll see this at rec level and stuff - but it means nothing.

Ball must be in posession of the pitcher and the other criteria for LBR to be in effect.

[MA_Ump]

Thanks. That's what I thought. ((and it was an ASA 12U tourney))

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by MA_Ump

Hi--

Does ASA Fastpitch allow the ball to be thrown to the circle and be in possession of a player other than the P, so as to initiate the need for players to return to base or advance?

Not sure if this is clear, so here is the situation:

R1 at 3b, ball pitched to batter. R1 takes aggressive lead, C throws ball back to P, within the circle. R1 immediately breaks for home when C releases ball. P throws ball back to C, R1 caught in rundown. Rundown proceeds with several throws back and forth. C is backed up by P, then 1b, and 3b backed up by SS then LF. Finally R1 returns to 3rd, safe. Ball is thrown to circle, which is occupied by 2b, covering area as rundown begins. With R1 standing on 3rd and 2b in possession of ball in circle, players begin to walk back to positions. R1 notices that P does not have ball and races home, which is left unoccupied as defense thought play was over b/c ball was in circle and no play being made.

Is the correct call here that the R1 is out, ball in circle (even though not in possession of P), or safe, P must have ball in circle and other player's possession is irrelevant?

MA_Ump

Heads up play by R1.

Must be the pitcher with possession of the ball. Certainly hope the umpire allowed the run to score.

[MA_Ump]

Yes, I did, but to the dismay of the DC. Ended up tying the game, and R1's team won in ITB. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something in a rules supplement or somewhere that might address this. I certainly didn't find anything later that contradicted the P must have ball.