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Online now: 2 members: TABLE SETTER 11, mello24; 64 anonymousDiscussion: Pitcher Safety rule
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| Nov. 17, 2008 coachron 14 posts | Pitcher Safety rule I am really going to be considered a novice, but how long has the Pitcher Safety rule been around. In my fifteen years of softball, I have never heard of it. As a pitcher, I have taken more shots up the middle then I can remember. And yes, have bounced a few off of pitchers also. I just happend on it here, and looked it up, and walla, there it was in my Official Senior Softball-USA Rule book. Now I must be looking rather stupid, after all I am a coach, but I asked one of my more experienced players that travels throughout the States every summer playing softball, and he never heard of it either. It would be really interesting to know how long this rule has been around. |
| Nov. 18, 2008 DoubleL10 Men's 70 907 posts | coachron, The pitcher protection rule just became effective this summer. In some form or other, the topic has been debated on this board for years; however, SSUSA together with the Senior Task Force created it initially for the Major Plus level. It has subsequently been applied across-the-board. LL |
| Nov. 18, 2008 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | Coachron and Larry this rule was instituted for the 40 year old division I want to say 3 years ago. I was still playing 40 when it came out. IN my old age I don't remember things as clearly now, but as I recall the 40's used to have the one up HR rule and singles and it became clear there weren't going to be enough softballs. So I believe the thought was make it 8 HR's and an out and institute the pitcher protection rule to keep the guys from smoking middle. I would encourage anyone who doesn't think this is a good idea in theory to pitch to one of these 40 year old hitters when they are out of HR's. |
| Nov. 18, 2008 DoubleL10 Men's 70 907 posts | Joe, I should have said in the 50 and over group. I do not keep up with what is happening with the young guys who are not yet Senior players. Seniors are 50 +, 35, 40 and 45 are, I believe, still considered Masters. Unless they/ve dumbed that down too! I do not consider 40s and 45s to be Seniors by any definition! LL |
| Nov. 18, 2008 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | Hi Larry, I wasn't commenting on the age brackets, just the genesis of how it came to be for SSUSA. They had several years of this idea in play before they introduced it into the 50 and above. Larry I understand your in a different park than I am clear across town, so good luck and give Imlay's team hell. I'm fighting this senior designation for all I'm worth but it appears that nature has other ideas. |
| Nov. 18, 2008 coachron 14 posts | Thanks a Mil. for the input. I just didn't want to think that I didn't know there was a rule that I did not know about, and have to explaine it to my team. I notified the league director of this rule, and will save some of out pitchers. Much Aloha Coachron |
| Nov. 26, 2008 BudK Men's 80 3 posts | I though Dave Dowell gave a perfectly good explanation of the new Pitcher Safety Rule at the manager's meeting before the LV Winter Worlds. Dave - please post your explanation and others may understand the rule better. |
| Nov. 30, 2008 SSUSA Staff 3491 posts | BudK - Here are my 'notes' for my comments at the Manager's Meeting before the Las Vegas Winter Worlds ... _____________________________ PITCHER PROTECTION RULE - There are only three (3) components to the "PPR". Two of them are factual matters and the third is an umpire's potential judgment call. FACTUAL MATTERS - The umpire shall automatically apply the PPR and the resultant 'Dead Ball Out' ruling in the following factual circumstances: • The PPR is applied only WHEN a batted ball actually strikes the pitcher (except on the arms - See 'Judgment Call' below). Near misses, balls batted sharply through the pitcher's box or in the vicinity of the pitcher, without striking the pitcher, do NOT result in the automatic application of the PPR. The previous requirement that the batted ball be a line drive has been removed. Short hops striking the pitcher are now encompassed by the PPR. Example: The PPR is automatically applied when a sharply batted ball strikes the pitcher's head, neck, torso or legs. Think of the "sheriff's pistol range" armless silhouette target as a visual illustration. • The pitcher MUST be in the pitcher's box when struck by a batted ball as described above. The pitcher's box is a 2' by 6' rectangle with the front being the front edge of the pitching rubber (50' from home plate) and extending 6' back therefrom toward 2nd base. Being in the pitcher's box is defined as ANY part of the body being in contact with the pitcher's box or the lines defining the box. Examples: A pitcher leaning outside the box to deliver a pitch, with a foot down on or inside the lines of the pitcher's box IS protected by the PPR. Conversely, a pitcher who delivers a pitch then loses contact with the pitcher's box by stepping to the side to assume a fielding position is NOT covered by the PPR. The same result applies when a pitcher delivers a pitch then retreats behind the pitcher's box, or to any other position in the field of play, for purposes of making a defensive play. The pitcher's box is the only 'safe haven' for applcation of the PPR. JUDGMENT CALL - The umpire shall make a judgment call as to the application of the PPR when any batted ball strikes the pitcher in the arms, including the glove. • When a batted ball strikes the pitcher in the arm (including the glove), while the pitcher is, in the umpire's judgment, in the process of making a reasonable defensive play on the ball, the PPR does NOT apply. This is a 'play on' situation. Example: Pitcher is in the pitcher's box and reaches out in an attempt to field a batted ball, which strikes the pitcher on the forearm. This is a live ball and the result of the play stands. • When a batted ball strikes the pitcher in the arm (including the glove), whether or not the ball ultimately strikes any other part of the pitcher's body, AND in the umpire's judgment, the pitcher had NO opportunity to make a reasonable defensive play on the ball, the PPR applies and a resultant Dead Ball Out ruling shall be made. Examples: Pitcher is struck in the arm(s) while reacting to protect themself or avoid being harmed by the batted ball. Pitcher makes a personal defensive reflex move and is struck by the batted ball on the arm and/or other part of the body. SUMMARY - Only TWO factual criteria determine the automatic application (or non-application) of the PPR. An umpire's judgment call, not subject to protest or appeal, MAY be required when a batted ball strikes a pitcher on the arms AND another part(s) of the body. |
| Nov. 30, 2008 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | I think the DBO will only have desired impact when the consequences are greater like what Mike Clary said, side out for an infraction. I would eject the player from the game for hitting the pitcher. Even then it won't stop it completely it will go far enough to send the right message. |
| Dec. 1, 2008 #19 Men's 70 302 posts | Einstein... let me know if I have this straight... You want all hot bats and/or balls to remain legal... AND you want the position you play to be protected... Is this where you are coming from?.... #19 |
| Dec. 1, 2008 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | #19..... Pretty amazing, isn't he? |
| Dec. 1, 2008 hitman Men's 70 339 posts | Someone make the call!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In the ASA nationals there was no DBO but what would be the call if it was in SSUSA??????????? I'm pitching and using the full floating 6 foot rubber. Ball is hit up the middle while I'm backpeddling but it is a 52 hopper and I move forward to attempt to field. I'm just getting to the rubber when up comes the dribblier and I take it in the chin. Busted open to the bone and it was a mis-hit. I was fully in the pitching box. What should be the call in SSUSA. Obviously lucky that it was mis-hit a shot would have been bad!!!!!!!! Thanks for your input, The Hitman #13 |
| Dec. 1, 2008 the wood Men's 65 1123 posts | Hitman: This falls under the Judgement Call portion... in particular the first bullet point... My opinion is that, given your circumstances, it should not be a DBO because the pitcher had a 'reasonable opportunity to field it'. But I am not an SSUSA umpire... nor have I been an umpire of any type in 20 + years except as a frequent 'umpire baiter'... So you should take my view with a large grain of salt. A 52 hopper doesn't usually cause that type of damage... and it wasn't/isn't the impetus behind the rule. A 52 hopper has to bounce every foot or so and could almost be classified as a roller. Had you stated that it was a three hopper, the result could be interpreted differently. IMO. BW |
| Dec. 1, 2008 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hey Bob, Almost a whole name and here comes almost a whole answer. I don't prefer the DBO rule but if it's going to work at all then it's got to have teeth, real teeth. There's a million situations where I wouldn't mind going at a pitcher if the only penalty was an out. C'mon. |
| Dec. 2, 2008 #19 Men's 70 302 posts | Einstein... Glad to hear that you are not an advocate of the DBO rule... It's hard to tell by reading your posts ... How about a lifetime ban from senior softball?... That would have some teeth!... Stoning?... Hanging? ... I dare say that most of us do not intentionally attempt to hit a pitcher ... But there are a million situations when you would??? ... That statement alone should get you banned!... #19 |
| Dec. 2, 2008 lazer larry Men's 50 95 posts | Guys it's simple, there's no need for any rule on this. If you are worried about your safty as a pitcher, the necessesary gear is available( helmet with face shield, shin guards, chest protector) . Buy the equipment and be safe! It will cost you the same as a new bat or have your team mates buck up to the tune of $ 5.00 each and you have it. If anybody gives you crap about it i'm sure there are plenty of photo's of damage that has happened. Stop the bickering, play smart and safe. Happy Holidays to all Lazer Larry Coors Light |
| Dec. 2, 2008 the wood Men's 65 1123 posts | Lazer: I agree with you... Einstein: To group an unintentional shot with one that was hit purposely hardly seems fair. But if the pitchers are really imperiled, we need to downgrade the bats... or change balls. I cannot recall more dialogue about an issue that rarely comes into play. Why change the game/rules when we could easily solve the problem (if it really exists) with the bats and/or balls? BW |
