This could be interesting.

[whiskers_ump]

2003 NFHS Softball Rules Changes.

6-2-6 Clarifies that when a ball slips from the
pitcher's hand, the batter may legally swing at a
ball that has an opportunity to be struck rather than
an automatic "ball" being called.

"Is this opening a real can of worms or what?"
I see it now, runner on 2nd 3/2 count ball bouncing in
after slipping, batter swings goes hard to 1B, F2
pondering her options. Now suppose F2 waits on ball
it never reaches plate. Would this fit in the new
category? Or would the batter just be called out since
the ball did not have opportunity to be struck. Suppose F2
does not wait, jumps up as soon as Batter swings and
goes out into field say 3 feet to retrieve ball and try and
throw the BR out. Can't have obstruction, batter
had opportunity to swing and did. Now blue is stuck
with making a judgement, "Did the ball or would have
the ball had an opportunity to be struck?"
I know, common sense needs to be applied, but lets hear
what everyone thinks.



glen



[Edited by whiskers_ump on Sep 3rd, 2002 at 08:01 PM]