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Messages posted by Donna McGuire

Aug. 29, 2025 Donna McGuire	Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Rule Question SSUSA defaults to the USA Softball rule book for rules not spelled out in our book. On page 138, in the rules supplement portion of the USA book, it states: "A runner could be standing on a base and a defensive player bumps the runner while watching the flight of the ball. If the defensive player fails to make a catch on a ball that could have been caught, it is the umpire’s judgment whether or not interference should be called. The rule provides that a runner must vacate any space needed by a fielder to make a play on a batted ball, unless the runner has contact with a legally occupied base when the hindrance occurs. In this case, the runner should not be called out unless the hindrance is intentional."
June 25, 2025 Donna McGuire	Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: FOUL TIP He is not out if it is his courtesy foul (waste foul). See rule 7.4(c), which says a foul tip can be a waste foul.
June 7, 2025 Donna McGuire	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Batter in Batters Box B.J., if you read the USA rules, our 7.6.I was picked up from that book long ago in a section that deals with fastpitch (or situations with the batter in the box who had not hit the ball yet). I believe the “intentional” wording applies only to a batter who has not hit the ball. If you have a chance, look at the USA book. (And yes, for SSUSA purposes, it might be wise to address that wording.
June 6, 2025 Donna McGuire	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Batter in Batters Box When does a batter become a batter-runner? (Answer: After hitting the ball.) Rule 7.6 I deals with a batter, not a batter-runner. (This is a fast-pitch rule that probably has been in our rule book since its inception.) See SSUSA rule 1.45, which says “A base runner must avoid a fielder making a play.” That includes the batter-runner. As the USA rule book says in more detail, “Defensive players must be given the opportunity to field the ball anywhere on the playing field or throw the ball without being hindered.” So in the case cited in this thread, I would have interference. (Sorry, BJ.)
May 11, 2025 Donna McGuire	Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Oil city classic Will Rogers sent schedules to all managers some days ago. Please check with your manager. Thanks.
April 20, 2025 Donna McGuire	Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Infield fly rule The infield fly rules exists to prevent defenders from deceiving base runners by intentionally dropping (or letting drop) an easily catchable pop-up so the defense can turn a double play. What defines ordinary effort? If an infielder can, in the judgment of the umpire, make the catch without making an extraordinary play. If infielders do not move to catch the ball, the ball cannot be caught with ordinary effort! It could drop for a base hit. (I’ve seen this happen many times.) As BJ says, an umpire can call IF late to prevent the double play. But if the play can end with the bases loaded, or even with a run scoring, umpires should let that happen. They should not give the defense an automatic out. That is not the intent of the rule. So, like BJ, I will not immediately call IF if the defense does not attempt to catch the ball. I wait to see what develops — and then I protect the offense if needed.
March 26, 2025 Donna McGuire	Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Pitching sfuruta: I would need to see your delivery to make a judgment, but there are a few things to take into consideration. Pitchers must come to a full and complete stop with the ball in front of the body. The front of the body must face the batter. This position must be held at least one second before starting the pitch. Once the pitcher makes any motion after the required stop, he “must not make any motion to pitch without immediately delivering the ball to the batter.” In addition, the pitcher “must not use a delivery in which there is a stop or reversal of the pitching motion.” So, if your twist conflicts with any of these rules, then it is an illegal pitch.
Feb. 20, 2025 Donna McGuire	Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Throwing of a bat USA Softball rules, which SSUSA follows when a rule is not spelled out in the SSUSA rule book, states: “When a player throws the bat intentionally in anger, the player should be ejected. Should the bat slip from the batter’s hands, there is no penalty unless the discarded bat prevents the defense from making a play on the ball, and then interference should be ruled. There is no penalty when a player carries a bat to first base or any other base. Should the player use the bat to prevent a defensive player from making a play, then interference should be ruled.” So in terms of calling an out, the batter would be out if the thrown bat interfered with the defense making a play. Also, if the batter is ejected for throwing the bat in anger, and the offense does not have a replacement for the batter’s place in the batting order, the batter would be out. For example, I can think of a few time while umpiring when the batter threw his bat between the catcher and batted ball to block or slow the catcher’s path to the ball. That would be interference, an immediate dead ball, the batter called out and all other runners sent back to the base last occupied.
Jan. 27, 2025 Donna McGuire	Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Foul tip - catch or not John028: USA (ASA) changed its foul tip rule in 2008, I believe. My earlier post said that in SSUSA play, a foul tip is a dead ball. If the batter has used his/her waste foul, or courtesy foul, the batter is out whether the foul tip is caught or not. If the fouled ball goes higher than the batter’s head in SSUSA PLAY, then it can be caught for an out.
Jan. 27, 2025 Donna McGuire	Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Foul tip - catch or not Wardo; The answer depends on what sport/association you are playing. MLB changed its rule in 2020. In the situation you described, it would not have been a legal catch prior to 2020. Now, it is a legal catch in the big leagues. I am not sure whether youth baseball rules changed after MLB changed its rule. In USA Softball play, the older rule remains in place. Your play would not be considered a catch. In SSUSA play, a foul tip is a dead ball. (If the batter has used his/her waste foul, or courtesy foul, the batter is out whether the foul tip is caught or not. If the fouled ball goes higher than the batter’s head, it can be caught for an out.)
Jan. 15, 2025 Donna McGuire	Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Clarification for pop-up caught by catcher rule JohnO28: SSUSA did not change its rule. The wording change was made to make the rule clearer, but it does NOT change the rule that has been in place for decades. SSUSA still requires the ball to go over the batter’s head to become a foul ball and be caught for an out. ASA (now USA) Softball changed its rule in 2006 (removing the requirement for the ball to go over the batter’s head) to allow more opportunity for the catcher to obtain outs… Mistersoftball12: If the batter has used his courtesy foul (or waste foul), it doesn’t matter if the foul tip ball is caught; the batter already is out. Once the batter has two strikes, he gets one “free” foul — which can be a foul tip. And yes, a foul ball caught by the catcher after it has gone over the batter’s head is a live ball. Runners can advance at their own risk.B.J.: The changes will make more sense when you see them written in the 2025-26 book.
Jan. 15, 2025 Donna McGuire	Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Clarification for pop-up caught by catcher rule In conjunction with the Rules Committee minutes, it is best to pull out the Rulebook and note the two areas being tweaked. Here is a summary: A FOUL BALL (including balls fouled backward that DO go higher than the batter’s head) can be caught for an out. The ball remains live. Meanwhile, a FOUL TIP (balls fouled backward that do NOT go over the batter’s head) cannot be caught for an out. The ball is dead on a foul tip even if caught.
Dec. 14, 2024 Donna McGuire	Topic: Website comments Discussion: Definition Please 9 ball: There are two steps to this. The first was happened when USA did away with the 1.21 BPF requirement for its bats. At that time, USA Softball switched to a “hotter” bat to be used with a “softer” ball (52/300). As a result, SSUSA banned the use of all USA/ASA bats that did not carry the 1.21 or 1.2 BPF marking. The second change happened more recently (within the last couple of years), after USSSA kept changing its bat standards, and after Dr. Brandt (who did the BPF testing) retired, and after the NTS began certifying bats. At this point, the different associations’ bat standards became even more varied. It became difficult to determine which bats met the SSUSA standard unless they bore the SSUSA logo or stamp.
Dec. 11, 2024 Donna McGuire	Topic: Website comments Discussion: Bat Warmers Yes, there are actual tests that show that a bat’s compression changes when the bat is heated, and that heating the bat will make it perform better. Testing is why ASA Softball (now USA) reinstated its bat warmer ban after letting warmers be used for two years. Their 2012 rule book had a sentence that said “science has proven” it….. (I am moving on, as I prefer to read the message board rather than become a part of it. Besides, Dave Dowell is much better that this than I am!)
Dec. 11, 2024 Donna McGuire	Topic: Website comments Discussion: Bat Warmers NYGNYY: From the SSUSA rule book: “Replacing a grip with another legal grip is not considered altering the bat.” You can change the tape as long as you use two or fewer layers. You can add a manufactured cone grip (those types specifically allowed in the rule book) but cannot use tape alone to construct a cone grip. Hope that clears up the confusion on those topics. Meanwhile, as Scott Harder says, there is solid evidence that heating a bat changes its performance. It gives the batter more velocity and distance when he hits the ball. That is why USA Softball and NFHS do not allow bat warmers.
Dec. 8, 2024 Donna McGuire	Topic: Website comments Discussion: Bat Warmers John028, please read page 40 of the online 2024 USA Rule Book, which states (SEE LAST SENTENCE): ….USA Softball reserves the right to withhold or withdraw approval of any equipment which, in USA Softball’s sole determination, significantly changes the character of the game, affects the safety of participants or spectators, or renders a player’s performance more a product of the player’s equipment rather than the player’s individual skill. Note: The characteristics of any approved equipment cannot be unnaturally changed. Examples include icing, cooling, or heating of any equipment. In addition, approved bats shall not be rolled, shaved or modified to change their characteristics from that produced by the manufacturer. Warming devices for bats are not approved.
Dec. 2, 2024 Donna McGuire	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: You make the call B.J. Most likely, the SSUSA rule was picked up from ASA (now USA Softball)before ASA added the sentence saying that any outs made on the play stand. The USA rule book is much, much larger than the SSUSA book and has many extra details that have been added over the years. Thanks for suggesting that we enhance our rule. Good idea!
Dec. 2, 2024 Donna McGuire	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: You make the call B.J. Love these discussions! First, I would say that our (SSUSA) rule does not negate the entire at-bat but only the advance and scoring of runners. (Outs are not listed as nullified.) Therefore the out at 2B stands. If need be, I could also pull out the USA rule, and I could point to where the SSUSA book says “For any rule or interpretation not covered in this rulebook, default to the USA Softball rule book for guidance.” So let me ask, if SSUSA wanted the outs negated, too, why doesn’t our rule book say that? (It’s not there because the outs stand.)
Dec. 2, 2024 Donna McGuire	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: You make the call Hey B.J. Read our (SSUSA) rule closely on pages 39 and 40. You will note that it says “any advance or score made ….shall be nullified.” It does NOT nullify any outs made on the pay. (Yes, the ASA/USA rule language spells it out more clearly, but the rules are the same.)
Dec. 1, 2024 Donna McGuire	Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: You make the call You have an out at second base, plus an out on the batter who failed to bat. All other runners return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. (Only the advancement of runners is nullified; any outs made by the defense stand.) So runners on second and third with two outs.

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