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Online now: 4 members: Dub10, TABLE SETTER 11, bola300, cecil; 80 anonymousDiscussion: morning sunrise
| Posted | Discussion |
| Dec. 11, 2017 youngen 16 posts | morning sunrise so here's the situation. early morning game. sun at pitchers back. batters are screwed cuz a good 8 1/2 9 foot arc comes right down in sun. Batter can't see until almost last minute. Umpire says you can have pitcher move left or right before first pitch as long as they stay w/I the white line parallel to the rubber. Is this a real SS rule or more local adjustment for safety. Does this only apply to first game? Gentle education. |
| Dec. 11, 2017 Chief144 Men's 70 160 posts | There was a SSUSA rule allowing this to happen in 2016. The rule was repealed after the 2016 season & not allowed in 2017 or after. The game "may" be delayed if the sun is in the pitchers eyes at the discretion of the TD. |
| Dec. 12, 2017 B.J. 1106 posts | no suspension of play if sun is in the batters eyes... below is the rule... 6.16 • WIND OR SUN AFFECTING BOTH PITCHERS In significantly windy conditions, if, in the judgment of the umpire, the wind is having a discernible adverse effect on the accuracy of both pitchers, the umpire may declare that only strikes count. In the case of sun interference potentially affecting the pitcher’s safety, the umpire may invoke a short suspension of play. EFFECT: Softball is an outdoor game played in the elements. Sun position affecting the batter is not a potential safety issue and shall not be the basis for a suspension of play. |
| Dec. 12, 2017 SSUSA Staff 3489 posts | youngen ... The simple answer is the umpire invoked his own rule in direct conflict with the actions of the National Rules Committee a year ago ... SSUSA tried that approach for one year (2016), but repealed it unanimously (13-0) at last year's committee sessions ... A written request/proposal this year to reinstate that rule did not have a single supporter on the rules committee ... The umpire erred in multiple instances ... • There is NO official extended line parallel to the pitching rubber except the 2' back line of the pitcher's box ... We are aware that some umpires and directors will occasionally ask field personnel to extend the width of the back line to assist umpires in judging how far behind the rubber (10' allowed maximum) the pitcher is when releasing a pitch ... While this extended line may be logical, it is NOT present in the official field specifications and should not be used as a limit or boundary on how far out of the pitcher's box is allowable ... • There is no provision in the SSUSA rules for allowing a pitcher to pitch outside of the pitcher's box, so this is NOT a real rule for SSUSA sanctioned tournament play ... • It's also NOT a local adjustment for safety ... The existing rule allowing a short suspension of play for sun affecting the pitcher's vision IS a safety issue ... However, sun position that may affect the batting average of a player is NOT a safety issue ... SUMMARY - It's very important to have consistent application of the rules for all qualifiers and national events absent ANY unauthorized modifications of those rules ... Local leagues playing under the SSUSA rules may, of course, make modifications that fit their needs ... |
| Dec. 12, 2017 stick8 1991 posts | I vividly recall ssusa worlds a few years ago playing an 8am 50 major plus bracket game at sunset park against GSC. The bright morning sun was right in the fielders eyes. Myself playing middle couldnt see anything!! By rule we could move to another field (all fields were taken) or wait until the sun gets into a spot where it doesn't affect the fielders vision. 45 minutes later we started. It was because of this the games were backed up!! |
| Dec. 12, 2017 DaveDowell Men's 70 4313 posts | stick8 ... The Sun affecting the FIELDERS' vision IS a safety issue and the sole basis for the provisions of Rule Book §6.16 calling for an allowed (short) suspension of play ... The converse circumstance affecting the BATTERS' vision is not ... As stated in the last two sentences of the rule: EFFECT: Softball is an outdoor game played in the elements. Sun position affecting the batter is not a potential safety issue and shall not be the basis for a suspension of play. |
| Dec. 13, 2017 youngen 16 posts | So if I understand the comments here the only official allowable adjustment would be for defense players not the batter. Appreciate the info as I look forward to next season. This was a local fun tourney. |
| Dec. 14, 2017 SSUSA Staff 3489 posts | youngen ... YES, as it relates to SSUSA sanctioned tournament play ... For a "local fun tourney", just about anything you wish to do is OK, so long as safe play and fun are the end results ... Good luck! |
