[net.sport.baseball] Softball Rule Interpretation

kdq@pthya.UUCP ( Kip Quackenbush) (06/04/84)

I was involved in a game this weekend where the ground
rules were established before the game. One of the rules
was that a runner could lead off AFTER the ball had crossed
the plate, yet no steals were allowed. It was a slowpitch
game. 

Situation:

Runners at first and third, no outs. Runner at first takes a
lead after the pitch crosses the plate. Catcher throws the ball
to first, runner at third breaks for home, and scores.

Was the ball in play once the catcher decided to throw to first?
Could the runner at third break for home?

Because the game was not sanctioned by any high authority
of softball, I argued that the ball should be considered in
play if the catcher decides to pick off the runner at first,
thus, the man on third can try to score if he wants. What would
have happened if the man on first HAD been picked off.

The umps ruled in favor of the 'live' ball. What do you think?


Post Script--
I thought it was stupid to allow leadoffs to begin with



-- 
	Kip Quackenbush

	pthya!kdq
	{ihnp4,ucbvax,cbosgd,decwrl,amd70,fortune,zehntel}!dual!pthya!kdq
	Pacific Bell, San Francisco, California

lab@qubix.UUCP (06/06/84)

If the batter doesn't swing, a lead-off is useless.

In normal slow-pitch, the ball is dead unless it is hit. With lead-offs
but no steals, you have created your own chaos and there is no simple
solution.
-- 
			The Ice Floe of Larry Bickford
			{decvax,ihnp4,allegra,ucbvax}!{decwrl,sun}!qubix!lab
			decwrl!qubix!lab@Berkeley.ARPA

sdi@loral.UUCP (Steve Irwin) (06/08/84)

The Softball Rule is such that when the ball crosses the plate
the ball is in play - period.  A baserunner cannot lead off at
all.  Leading off is coming off the bag prior to the pitch.
A runner is simply "coming off" the bag when the ball crosses
the plate and can do whatever he wants.  The reason there is a
catcher there is to catch the ball and the keep the ball in play
at all times.

I would have to agree with you and say that the catcher has the
right to try to pick off the runner at first but in doing so
creates the chance for the runner on third to score. 

When the ball crossed the plate to begin with the ball is in
play and that is all there is to it.  If someone in the league
had a rule book you could probably find this phrase somewhere.

			"Mr. Rules"