Top Baseball/Softball Rules Myths, 2011 Edition

[IRISHMAFIA]

NFHS 8.6.3 states that the defense/ball must beat the runner, therefore a ball and runner get there at the same time (tie), the runner is to be ruled safe. Same for ASA

[JefferMC]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

NFHS 8.6.3 states that the defense/ball must beat the runner, therefore a ball and runner get there at the same time (tie), the runner is to be ruled safe. Same for ASA

Beat me to it.

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

NFHS 8.6.3 states that the defense/ball must beat the runner, therefore a ball and runner get there at the same time (tie), the runner is to be ruled safe. Same for ASA

I've heard the interpretation before many times (usually by parents screaming from the bleachers). I don't know how anyone can judge an exact tie at game speed.

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

I've heard the interpretation before many times (usually by parents screaming from the bleachers). I don't know how anyone can judge an exact tie at game speed.

I've had one, but it wasn't a thrown ball, it was a footrace to first after F3 fielded the ball. F3 and BR both touched the bag at the same time. It was the strangest play and apparent to everyone including F3, BR, me (as BU) and my partner (who could see it from about 45 feet).

However, I do want to raise another issue that just sticks into my craw (and to address some of the attitude raised about your list from the BB side).
[I guess I should use the [rant] tag at this point]
A factor why there are so many myths is that some believe that baseball and softball are the same sport. They are NOT the same sport. They have some similarities, and maybe the same objective(s), but they are two independent sports. Why not create a list of ice hockey/field hockey myths? Because they are two separate and independent sports.

Perhaps the biggest fallacy (IMO) is that softball is perceived as "girl's baseball." As many on this site can tell you, softball is played by girls, boys, men, women (and sometimes having both men and women on the field at the same time!) in four varieties of pitching (fast, modified, slow and 16"). It angers me when someone states "why can't softball rules and baseball rules be the same?" which translates to "I don't understand why softball doesn't use baseball rules, because baseball is so much superior." My reply to that is "I agree, I think the pitcher should be required to make four legal pitches for an intentional walk (FED rules)."

I appreciate when someone creates study material to help officiate any sport. However, a lot of confusion is creating by the mindset that baseball and softball are the same sport, and to "require" that officials must officiate both in the same season in one organization does not give the correct respect to either sport and its participants. My suggestion is to create two independent lists (as you can see by some replies that even rule codes within a sport do not agree on rules).
[/rant]

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Big Slick

[I guess I should use the [rant] tag at this point]
A factor why there are so many myths is that some believe that baseball and softball are the same sport. They are NOT the same sport. They have some similarities, and maybe the same objective(s), but they are two independent sports. Why not create a list of ice hockey/field hockey myths? Because they are two separate and independent sports.

Perhaps the biggest fallacy (IMO) is that softball is perceived as "girl's baseball." As many on this site can tell you, softball is played by girls, boys, men, women (and sometimes having both men and women on the field at the same time!) in four varieties of pitching (fast, modified, slow and 16"). It angers me when someone states "why can't softball rules and baseball rules be the same?"

I once shared a elevator ride with MS from NFHS. When she found out where I was from, she said, "Oh, yes. That's where that cute little man who is the Rules Interpreter and keeps asking me why softball can't use the same rules as basebell is from."

I LMAO!


Let me go one better, and this REALLY pisses off the BASEBALL is pure American fanatics. I contend that the game is a derivative of Rounders which has been around since the 16th century in the British Empire.

Even a step further, I contend that anyone who reads up on this game will readily recognize that it more simulates softball than baseball. And another step, slowpitch more than fastpitch.

And while I'm on a role, Abner Doubleday had zero, zip, nil, nada, nothing to do with baseball or its discovery. The baseball folks ripped-off the game they claim to be their own!

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I once shared a elevator ride with MS from NFHS. When she found out where I was from, she said, "Oh, yes. That's where that cute little man who is the Rules Interpreter and keeps asking me why softball can't use the same rules as basebell is from."

I LMAO!


Let me go one better, and this REALLY pisses off the BASEBALL is pure American fanatics. I contend that the game is a derivative of Rounders which has been around since the 16th century in the British Empire.

Even a step further, I contend that anyone who reads up on this game will readily recognize that it more simulates softball than baseball. And another step, slowpitch more than fastpitch.

And while I'm on a role, Abner Doubleday had zero, zip, nil, nada, nothing to do with baseball or its discovery. The baseball folks ripped-off the game they claim to be their own!

cute ? ? ? ? little ? ? ? ? man

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

cute ? ? ? ? little ? ? ? ? man

Yep, her words, not mine. This was before DC took over that position.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

This was before DC took over that position.

I certainly hope so!

[IRISHMAFIA]

"You can see the base umpire with her hands up, so she called interference"....."but there wasn't any contact"....."Walton wants a 'play on' call"......"this should be a delayed dead ball like an illegal pitch".... Ugh!

[HugoTafurst]

But.... did YOU HAVE interference on that play?

I've had that before. I think what happens is that you're watching and anticipating the violation. Then you see the contact and lose site of the fact that it's a tag.
A brain cart on the field.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

But.... did YOU HAVE interference on that play?

I've had that before. I think what happens is that you're watching and anticipating the violation. Then you see the contact and lose site of the fact that it's a tag.
A brain cart on the field.

At first, no. Then on the replay, it SS's face seemed somewhat contorted as if shocked to have the runner in front of her. No sure, but it looked as if the tag could have been accidentaly.

However, it is one of those calls that if you hesitate and it is INT, the second guessing begins before the coach gets to the umpire to discuss the call.