Fed Illegal Pitch Option

[youngump]

My count didn't include "now the coach has the option..." Once the ball is dead after a hit, then yes the coach has the option.
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MegaSquirtBB

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by youngump

My count didn't include "now the coach has the option..." Once the ball is dead after a hit, then yes the coach has the option.

You're probably right, as my perception of what was false there was the preceding clause - when the ball is hit... I guess I double-dinged him for the same error!

[Tex]

Andy, the answer to your question is yes.

This segment (Illegal Pitch Enforcement) was included with 2 slides in the NFHS powerpoint presentation that was made at both the Texas State Meeting and the Arkansas State Meeting. This segment explained the 6-1-(2, 3, & 4) penalty with the 6-2-2 penalty and exception. These are on pages 47 - 50 of the 2011 rule book or pages 47 - 49 of the 2010 rule book.

An Illegal Pitch Enforcement article was also included in the 2010 NFHS Softball Preseason Guide official publication on page 4 by Referee Enterprises.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Tex

Andy, the answer to your question is yes.

This segment (Illegal Pitch Enforcement) was included with 2 slides in the NFHS powerpoint presentation that was made at both the Texas State Meeting and the Arkansas State Meeting. This segment explained the 6-1-(2, 3, & 4) penalty with the 6-2-2 penalty and exception. These are on pages 47 - 50 of the 2011 rule book or pages 47 - 49 of the 2010 rule book.

An Illegal Pitch Enforcement article was also included in the 2010 NFHS Softball Preseason Guide official publication on page 4 by Referee Enterprises.

I have not seen the PP presentation you refer to, or know if it came from NFHS or was put together by the Texas and/or Arkansas state interpreters.

As far as the book goes, the specific issue of a runner stealing on the pitch, which is then called illegal is not addressed, hence the question on the OP.

Originally Posted by Tex

If the batter swings and misses the ball, the play is dead, all runners return, and the award is made.

This phrase you quoted is not to be found in the rulebook, either 2010 or 2011 editions, and is not addressed in the case book. the book states the ball is dead at the end of "playing action", yet that term is not defined.

Personally, in the play presented, I would allow the option of play or penalty if F2s throw was errant and the baserunner safely advanced to third.

[Tex]

Read 6-2-2 penalty and exception. The play is dead unless ball is hit.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by Tex

Read 6-2-2 penalty and exception. The play is dead unless ball is hit.

What if the ball is not hit but the batter becomes a runner?

Just wonderin...... I'm sitting in a waiting room and don't have a book with me but I don't remember reading "the play is dead unless the ball is hit"

I do remember reading something like:
"a ddb is signaled and AT THE END OF PLAYING ACTION" the choice is given (provided the ball is hit or batter becomes runner)" If ball is not hit AND batter does NOT become a runner_ it appears no choice is offered.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Tex

Read 6-2-2 penalty and exception. The play is dead unless ball is hit.

Yes. Read it. You're ignoring about a third of that rule. The play is NOT dead if the ball is not hit but the batter becomes a batter-runner (which is the case after any ball four or any uncaught strike three (unless... you know)).

To Andy - if batter did not become baserunner, you can't give that baserunner third base - to Tex's point, if this was not ball four or an uncaught 3rd (with 2 outs here since your runner's at 1st), the play IS dead as soon as it's not hit... so there's no steal of 2nd, no advance to third - ball was dead the whole time.

[HugoTafurst]

Received the following in an Email copied to our association.
As I stated earlier, Our association was disgussing the topic and it was decided that our interpreter would query the FHSAA.
The following is the response...

"
XXXXX,

Sorry for the delay on this one...

For an illegal pitch, there can only be two
options for the offensive coach to choose from;

1. The penalty for an illegal pitch is a BALL on the batter and all base
runners receive ONE BASE.
2. The coach may choose to take the RESULT of the play.

You can not the two to come up with a better solution. In the example
quoted, the offensive coach would have the option of the penalty (a BALL on
the batter and the runner would receive only 2ND BASE). Or the coach could
take the result of the play (either a BALL or a STRIKE on the batter and the
runner would stay at 3RD BASE.

I hope this is helpful. If you need anything else, please let me know.
XXXXX
FHSAA