February ASA Rules Clarifications

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Ejected ?? - for an illegal, not altered bat??

And, let's be honest. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that if it doesn't have an ASA approval it isn't approved for ASA play.

This also closes the previous logic hole; that a baseball bat was only an out, but a softball bat that might have an ASA approval stamp (and the owner isn't bright enough to check if it has been nonapproved) is an out and an ejection.

So now, it appears the only outs are for bats that have become illegal by use.

[CecilOne]

Speaking ASA:
As Dave pointed out, I did not read the clarification before asking for confirmation of his "non-approved ejection" comment. I have now read it without full comprehension and reviewed the rule itself. Yes I see the ejection for non-approved in 7-6-B.

I have always understood the rule to be out/ejection for altered, just an out for other illegal. To me, non-approved meant the same as illegal. I have trouble understanding how a bat can be "illegal" and not be "non-approved". Am I just trying to apply a dictionary to rule book semantics?

Further, I thought the non-approved list (http://www.asasoftball.com/about/bui...t_one_page.asp) was to correct those previously certified and those rejected to begin with. The idea being to minimize having to search the approved list for every bat. Are we/they using "non-approved" in two different ways?

What I seem to have missed is there are three categories, approved, non-approved, and non-approved with certification. The second, non-approved seems to include non-tested, which I assume are those referred to as USSSA/NSA for lack of a more specific name. (Does non-approved mean the same as disapproved?).

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

So now, it appears the only outs are for bats that have become illegal by use.

Please explain.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Please explain.

Steve means that "illegal" bats are previously legal bats that have become illegal due to the use or abuse of the bat.

For example, a legal bat which has dented, bent, creased, cracked, been damaged in any way that made the surface of the taper or barrel something other than smooth (like a discernable scratch), the end cap pop off, etc.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Steve means that "illegal" bats are previously legal bats that have become illegal due to the use or abuse of the bat.

For example, a legal bat which has dented, bent, creased, cracked, been damaged in any way that made the surface of the taper or barrel something other than smooth (like a discernable scratch), the end cap pop off, etc.

Isn't that "altered"?

[BretMan]

I always took "altered" to mean the bat was purposely tampered with the express intent to change its charateristics, not damage or wear that can occur from normal usage.

In regard to the clarification of R/S #36- the "Ruling" posted on the ASA site might be more "clarifying" if they hadn't omitted the "Play" that apparently should precede it!

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by BretMan

I always took "altered" to mean the bat was purposely tampered with the express intent to change its charateristics, not damage or wear that can occur from normal usage.

The definition of altered bat just says legal bat physically changed.
No mention of purpose, intent, or why.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

The definition of altered bat just says legal bat physically changed.
No mention of purpose, intent, or why.

ASA Rule 1 - Definitions

Altered Bat: When the physical structure of a legal softball bat has been changed.

I read "has been changed" to be an act of changing the bat, not the same as "has changed".

Illegal Bat: A bat that does not meet the requirements of an official bat or warm-up bat.

Odds are pretty damn good that an altered bat is going to meet the requirements of an official bat.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Isn't that "altered"?

No