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Online now: 4 members: Mulldog, Papajoe56, TABLE SETTER 11, softball4b; 108 anonymousDiscussion: Foul Territory
| Posted | Discussion |
| Aug. 27, 2014 RaptorPete 6 posts | Foul Territory This is a new one for me. I've played a lot of softball over the years and have never had this situation come up. While batting, a player on the defensive team went and stood on the foul side of the left field line. Is this a legal position for an active defensive player to be in? I have always been under the assumption that, excluding the catcher, all players had to be in a position within the designated fair/foul boundaries of the ball field. Any rule references to this issue would be appreciated. Thank you. Peter Bryant Largo, Florida |
| Aug. 27, 2014 JimmyG Men's 55 52 posts | From SSUSA rule book 6.8(1) • PITCHER DELIVERING THE BALL The pitcher shall not deliver a pitch unless all defensive players are positioned in fair territory, except the catcher who must be in the catcher's box. |
| Aug. 27, 2014 JimmyG Men's 55 52 posts | 6.11(1) • PENALTY FOR ILLEGAL PITCHES Any infraction of §6.3 through §6.11 is an illegal pitch. A ball shall be called on the batter. Runners may not advance. EXCEPTION: If a batter swings at any illegal pitch, it is nullified and the result of the play stands. |
| Aug. 27, 2014 B.J. 1105 posts | JimmyG....correct rule but a pitcher should never get called for an illegal pitch in this situation....the umpire should stop play and make the outfielder move into the field of play before the pitch |
| Aug. 27, 2014 SSUSA Staff 3483 posts | Agreed B.J. ... The background on why it's an "illegal pitch" in slow pitch softball is because, in baseball, the penalty is a "balk" assessed to the pitcher ... In the absence of a balk in slow pitch softball, this looks like it was the next best remedy to employ! ... The skilled umpire and the alert offensive team manager should bring it to the attention of the umpire for pre-pitch correction as you suggested ... |
| Aug. 29, 2014 RaptorPete 6 posts | Thank you very much JimmyG, B.J. and SSUSA Staff. I will forward this information to the powers to be who need to be enlightened. Again Thanks. |
