On deck batters
 

First off, I would like to say that I'm new to this board. Second, I'm a coach first (I know, I know) and an umpire when time allows in our local rec league. I love to do both and am a student of the game and a rules junkie.

I was at an ASA tournament this weekend with my team. We were on the 1st base side and I sent my on-deck batter over to the 3rd base side, because the last time that the current batter and pitcher faced off, balls were flying to the 1st base side. We were on 3rd that time. Anyway, the umpire tells me that the on-deck batter is not allowed to go over to the other side.

Is there any such rule? The TD tells me it's for insurance reasons and that Bollinger (there's that name again) will not let that happen. Anyone know anything of this?

Thanks,

Paul

It is a fact and if you are an umpire, you only needed to read the definitions of "on deck circle" in Rule 1.;)

The TD is blowing smoke up whatever. Bollinger has nothing to do with this rule.

Thanks. I got it under definitions and under Rule-7, Section 1.

Is there a reason why they implemented this rule? Lawyers?

It was never a rule until someone tried it. You have to remember, these rules are for everyone, JO FP to Senior SP.

Ever have a game involving two teams that JUST DIDN'T GET ALONG?
Would you really want to put a player in the line of fire away from his/her own dugout? And you can make all the rules you want about no blocking the other coach's view of this or that, but to be honest, as an umpire I've got more important things to worry about than playing babysitter.

Hmmm. In Canada the on-deck batter can use either circle. I guess we play nicer up here.

Overhere we used to be easy as well in this matter. However since our batters have been sent back to their own circle in ESF and ISF tournaments, we (the ump's) are more strickt in enforcing this rule.

Whenever a lady is at bat, the on deck is in the circle and a pitcher change is coming, I sent the on deck batter back into the dug-out and the batter into the circle. The pitcher can now have the 5 warm-up pitches without an opponent watching her close-by...

Early May I had a game in Amsterdam, the home team sent two sub.'s behind the backstop, while they're at bat. These young ladies we're directed back into the dug-out aswell. If they want to spy on the pitchers, they can visit a game where they're not involved. And they will figure out my zone when they're at bat...The players are in the dug-out when they must be there, can only come out when suposed to be on the field!

You know, the more I think about this and every other chicken$hit rule that comes down the pike, I guess you have to think the lawyers are involved.

How many years did we survive without the lawyers and idiot judges who do not have the courage to make a decision?

According to Chicken Little, Inc. anyone who grew up in the 50s & 60s should have been killed by one of society's invisible villians or another.

"Dixe Youth" rules are popluar around here and specifically state the on deck circle behind the batter must be used. So, at my "standard NFHS pregame", I tell the coaches that the batter must use the on-deck circle in front of their dugout.

Since I look at on-deck circles like coach's boxes I then let them know that if their batters feel the on-deck circle is too close, they can move further down the line on on their own side.

I've never seen a single person move further down.

I miss Jarts.

You are one sick sum o beech. My kind of umpire. :D

MTD, Sr.

No kidding what a game, take a 2-3# metal object place a sharp end on it and then add a plastic piece that shifts back and forth to throw off any chance of accuracy then give it to kids and have them throw them at each other.....what could ever go wrong there???

Nothing ever did when my buddy and I played with 'em. :)

Toys are too damn safe these days, all for the sake of saving a few thousand lives. :rolleyes:

Me too. I played Jarts all the time growing up and never took one in the head (and I wasn't the most attentive kid). The end wasn't sharp either, but I could see it getting inside the skull of a young 'un.

I hate that Dixie rule. We have a local ASA league that has implemented that rule as well. There's NO safety advantage, and you have to constantly hold up play to let players run around to the "wrong" side. Dumb dumb dumb.

What the hell is a young 'un doing where they are playing Jarts?:confused: Where are the parents? GMAFB! This is the type of thinking that put Chicken Little in charge.:(

When I was growing up, if I was someplace I didn't belong, even if I got hurt, I was punished. $HIT HAPPENS! :rolleyes:

There is always the option for parents to teach your kids to behave and do not be afraid to take corrective action when necessary.:eek:

There is always the option for umpires to teach ... kids to behave and do not be afraid to take corrective action when necessary. :eek:

You work Jarts? ;)

An umpire's job on the field isn't to teach. That would make them a coach.

Wrong kind of teach, applying rules and disciplinary effects is teaching, reference to behavior.

I still want to know how much you get paid for officiating Jarts... :)

Don't believe there are any official ruling bodies as of yet, but I hear the YSISF is spinning off a YSIJF org. ;)

Boy... Won't that be brutal!

On deck circles
 

Ok....I do federation....not ASA....our local league plays by federation rules and then adds league specific/special rules.....I am coaching my daughters team.....and this young umpire makes a big deal about the on deck batter by sending them over in front of the other teams bench....in-between innings...I told her that per fed rules....teams stay on their own side.....because she didn't want me to be right....she says...oh..in ASA...the umpires have us do that all the time....so after reading this post...I realize that she is even more full of crap and I can't wait to correct her! So...to be clear...ASA does not allow on deck batters to be on their opponents on deck circle...right?

Thanks!

ASA does not, but it is a common league rule around here, so she may have been referring to an ASA-based league with such a local rule as if it was "ASA".

NSA, which is often confusing, makes this one simple:

7 13 b. "The on-deck batter shall take a position within the lines of either on-deck circle without blocking the view of any manager or coach."

What I found ironic was a situation I observed Sunday morning. The drawn circles were less than 30 feet from the plate. One player from the 1B dugout apparently decided it was too close and drew her own circle with a bat about 20 feet further down the 1B fence. In fact, she turned her back on an active batter while drawing this "safer" circle. :eek:

She was not only only one who decided not to use the provided circles (I don't know that any of them did, actually), but the only one who I observed with her back to the batter while doing so.

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As many of you know, Dixie Youth wants the on-deck batter behind the batter. Many kids (and coaches) have trouble making the adjustment as they first venture out into ASA (and alphabet soup) play.

One of the many many reasons not to let your kids play Dixie.

If safety is that big a concern (and with some of the fields, it IS a concern), keep the ODB in the "team area"... i.e. behind the fence.

In most places you play what's in your town. Dixie Youth is in mine. Granted, Little League is in the next town, but half (or more) of rec is playing with your friends from school, etc.

Understood (and LL is not that much a step up.) I would suggest getting involved and trying to sway the board or tptb to change to a real softball organization.

For a couple of years (2005, 2006) when the league had a fallout with Dixie, baseball went USSSA and softball went Babe Ruth. Not much (if any) of an improvement. The next year they decided to return to Dixie Youth. Babe Ruth softball is just about non-existant in this state.

By the time they were leaving Babe Ruth, one DD had aged out of rec and the other was lost to the dark side (soccer), so my involvement had reached about nil.

Nsa
 

NSA allows "either" circle to be used.