2011 ASA Rule Changes with Comments

[NCASAUmp]

Mike, is this wording final? I noticed that in 3-1-H, they're allowing players to engrave or paint their names on the bat. Does this allowance include such actions on the barrel? As written, it would appear so.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Mike, is this wording final? I noticed that in 3-1-H, they're allowing players to engrave or paint their names on the bat. Does this allowance include such actions on the barrel? As written, it would appear so.

Yes.

[darkside]

Approved bats shall be considered altered if they are rolled, shaved, repainted, weighted or modified to change their characteristics from that produced by the manufacturer. Identifying the bat by means of laser marking, engraving, or painting the name or number of the player will not make the bat an altered bat.

They just contradicted themselves. Your bat will be considered altered if you paint it. You can paint your name or number on your bat.

So which is it and why does the council have such trouble with the English language and logic?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by darkside

Approved bats shall be considered altered if they are rolled, shaved, repainted, weighted or modified to change their characteristics from that produced by the manufacturer. Identifying the bat by means of laser marking, engraving, or painting the name or number of the player will not make the bat an altered bat.

They just contradicted themselves. Your bat will be considered altered if you paint it. You can paint your name or number on your bat.

So which is it and why does the council have such trouble with the English language and logic?

One of two things here. Either you're kidding or you are.....well, nevermind.

What's the difference between painting the exterior of your house and putting up the house number on the steps or by the door?

When working in a spreadsheet, what's the different between filling a cell with color and changing the contents to the same color?

I guess it should also be pointed out that it states "repainting" the bat. To me, and probably many others, this means repainting the bat, the entire bat, not just adding an identifying mark on it.

[Bill S]

You guys do not think 70 ft. bases are going to affect the slow pitch game?
What about mechanics?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Bill S

You guys do not think 70 ft. bases are going to affect the slow pitch game?
What about mechanics?

Mechanics do not change, no need. This is not new to ASA. In the past, the bases for higher level of ball have reached 80' at one point and that was fun. Too many people are acting like this is the end of the world while in reality, it is just one more stride.

AFA increased safety for the defense is concerned, it is a misconception. Infielders have always had the ability to stand as deep as they please regardless of the location of the bases or cut of the infield.

If anything, it makes it a little safer for the runners of 1B or 3B

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Mechanics do not change, no need. This is not new to ASA. In the past, the bases for higher level of ball have reached 80' at one point and that was fun. Too many people are acting like this is the end of the world while in reality, it is just one more stride.

AFA increased safety for the defense is concerned, it is a misconception. Infielders have always had the ability to stand as deep as they please regardless of the location of the bases or cut of the infield.

If anything, it makes it a little safer for the runners of 1B or 3B

And they most certainly take advantage of this. They often play so far back, I'm standing as far as 10 feet into the grass.

An extra 5 feet won't be that big a deal.

[vcblue]

Originally Posted by darkside

Approved bats shall be considered altered if they are rolled, shaved, repainted, weighted or modified to change their characteristics from that produced by the manufacturer. Identifying the bat by means of laser marking, engraving, or painting the name or number of the player will not make the bat an altered bat.

They just contradicted themselves. Your bat will be considered altered if you paint it. You can paint your name or number on your bat.

So which is it and why does the council have such trouble with the English language and logic?

So are you saying that you have removed a bat because a persons name was marked on the shaft or barrel? WOW

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by vcblue

So are you saying that you have removed a bat because a persons name was marked on the shaft or barrel? WOW

Kind of weird to ask someone if they are saying something... and then WOW them for saying it when you weren't sure they were saying it in the first place.

No - I don't believe any umpire out there would toss a bat for someone's name being on it. REPAINTING, and writing your name on with a marker are two wildly different things.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Kind of weird to ask someone if they are saying something... and then WOW them for saying it when you weren't sure they were saying it in the first place.

So, Mike, what are you saying here?

No - I don't believe any umpire out there would toss a bat for someone's name being on it. REPAINTING, and writing your name on with a marker are two wildly different things.

I would like to think you are 100% correct. Unfortunately, we all know that some read rules strictly in black and white and not all have the benefit of additional information as how they are to be applied. And though that shouldn't be the case, in some areas it just is.

I can understand and believe an umpire may get talked into ruling in an inaccurate manner by a coach or player. I don't think it should happen, but it will.

[ASA Ump MN]

I don't like this rule from the start as it is an indication the umpire is not doing their job.

We had a strange one the other night!
And yes I agree good game management should take care of the problem before it happens. Normally it's just an outfielder trying to sneak in to far on a female batter and I'll back him up a bit, problem solved ....
BUT in our Co-Ed game with a male batter up, just before/as the pitcher started his delivery the 2nd basemen took off sprinting into the outfield. He was clearly not in the infield when the ball was batted and almost made the play before the outfielder called him off. I didn't have time to kill it IMO. Even more surprisingly the manager of the batting team said to me immediately "we would like to appeal the defensive having an un-even about of male players in the outfield"
Luckily my BU knew the rule as my first thought was the offense could take the result or do the AB over, like pitching the wrong ball in Co-Ed.
The defense mildly freaked out for a bit until explained to them and then verified by rule book after the game.

And as far as determining where the infield and outfield are defined, that's my judgment...PERIOD!

Anyway, great forum here!

Thanks Much~ Minnesota~