Catching
B1 hits a fly to F8. F8 gets the ball in her hands but drops it (a) when she falls to the ground and rolls over, or (b) when she collides with a fielder or a wall, or (c) when she starts to throw to the infield.
RULING: In (a) and (b), it is not a catch. In (c), it is a legal catch if the umpire rules that the ball was dropped as F8 attempts to transfer the ball to her throwing hand.
As Team A takes infield prior to the game, several members of Team B yell insulting remarks to various players of Team A and make fun of their uniforms.
RULING: The umpire should warn the coach of Team B immediately that if any of the players make further remarks or try to antagonize or intimidate Team A in any way, they shall be ejected.
S1 replaces B3, who is third in the batting order. Is it necessary that S1 bat in third place?
RULING: Yes
With R1 on first, B2 singles. R1 goes to third but fails to touch second.
RULING: If appealed properly by the defensive team, the umpire shall call R1 out for failing to touch second. (8-6-7; 2-1)
With F6 trying to tag out R1 between second and third, R2 advances to second. R1 escapes to second. If one or both are on the base when tagged, which one can be put out?
RULING: If both are on the base, only R2, when tagged, is out. If only one is on the base when tagged, neither is out.
B1 hits a fair line drive that is touched in flight by F4, after which it hits an umpire standing behind F4. The ball is then caught by F6 before it touches the ground.
RULING: B1 is not out. The ball remains live because it touched a fielder before touching an umpire. When a batted fair ball in flight hits an umpire, it is ruled the same as the ball hitting the ground where the umpire is standing. (2-9-5e)
F5, who has the ball, is in position at third base to make a tag on advancing R1. R1 (a) maliciously crashes into F5 and dislodges the ball, or (b) runs into F5 without attempting to avoid the tag and dislodges the ball, or (c) attempts to slide and dislodges the ball, or (d) attempts to avoid F5 but remains in the baseline and dislodges the ball.
RULING: In (a) and (b), the ball is dead and R1 is out for not legally attempting to avoid a fielder in the immediate act of making a play on her. Additionally, in (a) R1 is ejected for malicious contact. In (c) and (d), R1 is safe. (8-4-2b,c, Penalty)
B5 is scheduled to bat, but B7 enters the kicker's box instead. With a count of three balls, two strikes on B7, the batting infraction is detected by (a) B5, or (b) F6, or (c) coach of either team, or (d) B7.
RULING: In all cases, this situation is correctable while the improper batter is at bat. B5 will take the place of B7 at the plate with a count of three balls, two strikes. Before a pitch, the umpire may ask the improper batter if she should be at bat. After a pitch, the umpire shall remain silent. (7-1-1)
With R1 on first, B2 hits safely to right field. An overthrow at first (a) goes into the stands. In going to third, R1 misses second base and has passed second or is approaching second when the ball leaves the hand of F9 who is throwing to the infield.
R1 will be awarded home if she was past second base, or awarded third base if second base was not reached when the throw left the hand of F9. R1 is responsible for touching all bases regardless of whether or not the bases are awarded. If R1 fails to touch any base on the award, and the defensive team makes the proper appeal, the umpire will call R1 out.
How are awards determined when a fielder carries or throws a live ball into a dugout or any dead-ball area?
RULING: When a batted ball is caught in flight and then unintentionally carried into a dugout or other dead-ball area, the award is one base. Any other time a live ball is carried or thrown into dead-ball area, except for a pitch or a throw by the pitcher while in the pitching position, the award is two bases. (8-4-3i)
With R1 on second base, B2 hits a line drive toward F5. The batted ball deflects off of F5’s glove, hits R1 going from second to third base, and then is caught by F6 before it ever touches the ground.
RULING: B2 is not out. The ball remains live because it touched a fielder before touching R1. COMMENT: When a batted ball in flight hits a runner, it is ruled the same as the ball hitting the ground where the runner is standing. (2-9-5e)
Upon rounding second, R1 maliciously runs into F6 who is (a) in the baseline, or (b) not in the baseline.
RULING: In (a) and (b), the ball is dead. R1 is out and is also ejected because of the unsporting act. (5-1-1e; 8-4-2d)
The batting order is B1, B2, B3, B4. If B3 erroneously bats in place of B1 and the batting infraction is not detected by anyone before a pitch to the next batter, is B2 or B4 the next correct batter?
RULING: B4, since her name follows that of B3. Neither B1 nor B2 may legally bat until their time comes again as listed. (7-1-2 Penalty)
With R1 on second, R2 on first and one out, B4 hits a double. Both runners cross home plate but R1 fails to touch third. R1 (a) gets back to third before the ball arrives at third, or (b) after all play has ended, the defensive team makes a dead ball appeal.
RULING: In both (a) and (b), the umpire rules R1 out for failing to touch third base. The run by R2 counts because there are only two outs. In (a), the umpire will not permit R1 to return to third base because a following runner (R2) has scored. (8-3-9; 2-1)
With R1 on second, R2 on first and one out, B4 hits an infield fly. The ball strikes R1 who is (a) near second, or (b) standing on second.
RULING: In (a) and (b), B4 is out, because of the infield fly rule. In (a), R1 is out and the ball becomes dead. In (b), R1 is not out unless she intentionally interfered. The ball would be ruled dead or live depending on position of the fielder closest to the base. (8-6-10a; 8-2-9)
With R1 on second, and R2 on first, (a) B3 bunts (F.P.) or (b) swings and hits a pop up which falls between home and third and cannot be caught by any fielder
RULING: In (a), a bunt is never an infield fly. In (b), this is not an infield fly
R1 is on first base when B2 hits a sharp ground ball to F4. As R1 attempts to advance to second base, F4 maliciously contacts and uses unnecessary force in attempting to tag R1. The ball is in F4's possession,
R1 is out and F4 is ejected at the end of playing action.
With R1 on second, it is time for B3 to bat but B4 erroneously bats. B4 hits a double and the irregularity is discovered before a subsequent pitch by (a) coach of team in the field, or (b) F4.
RULING: In both (a) and (b), B3 shall be declared out and B4 shall bat again with no ball and strike count, and R1 returns to second base. (7-1-2 Penalty
B1 hits a slow roller to F5 and arrives safely but misses first base. F3 catches the ball while standing on first base after B1 has beaten the throw.
RULING: If the runner passes first base before the throw arrives, she is considered to have touched the base unless an appeal play is made. F3 must tell the umpire she is appealing B1 missing first base before B1 returns to the base. (8-3-4)
R1 is on first when B2 hits a fair ball (a) down the rightfield line that rolls into foul territory, or (b) to the left-center field gap. In both cases, a spectator picks up the ball and tosses it to the fielder.
RULING: In both (a) and (b), the ball is dead immediately at the moment of interference and the umpire will award R1 and B2 the bases, if in his/her opinion, they would have reached had there been no spectator interference. (8-4-3k)
R1 and R2 are on second and first bases, respectively, with no outs. B3 hits a high pop foul between home and first base with F3 losing sight of the ball because of the sun. The ball lands on foul ground without being touched and rolls into fair territory halfway between home and first base. F1 picks up the ball and throws to F4 covering first, who touches R2 with the ball while the latter is off base.
RULING: Fair ball. Even though the infield fly was not called, it is still in effect. B3, therefore, is out. R2 is also out. (8-2-9)
F4 and R1 become involved in a fight near first base. F3 vacates her position immediately to avoid becoming involved in the fight. Should F3 be ejected?
RULING: No. Even though F3 left her position, she was moving away from the action.
With R1 on first, B8 erroneously bats in place of B7. The error is discovered by the opposing team (a) after B8 has received two strikes, or (b) after B8 has received a base on balls or is hit by a pitch, or (c) after B8 has hit a foul that is caught or has hit safely to advance R1, or (d) after a pitch has been delivered to B9.
In (a) B7 takes the place of B8 at the plate with a two-strike, no ball count. If R1 has advanced by stealing or by a wild pitch while the wrong batter was batting, it is a legal advance. In (b) and (c) B7 is out. B8 is removed from base and bats again with no balls or strikes. R1 shall return to the Page 45 Rule 7 2011 NFHS Softball Case base occupied at the time of the pitch. In (d) no correction is made and B7 and B8 do not bat again until their regular time. (7-1-2 Penalty)
R1 is on second and R2 on first when B3 doubles. R1 advances to home plate but fails to touch third. R2 touches second, third and home after which (a) R1 realizes her mistake and returns to third, or (b) the defense throws the ball to third.
RULING: In (a), if the defense properly appeals, the umpire shall declare R1 out. No runner may return to a missed base after the following runner has scored. In (b), the defense may, if it chooses, while the ball is live, play on a runner who commits a base running infraction. Therefore, R1 would be out if properly appealed. (8-3-9; 8-6-7 Penalty)
R1 is on first when B2 hits a line drive that bounds off F4's glove to F8 who catches it. R1 leaves first after F4 touched the ball but before the catch.
RULING: This is a legal advance by R1. B2 is out. (8-4-1e; 8-8-12)