UTAH ASA Softball

2005 New Rule Changes

(Effective January 1, 2005)

Rule #1 – The Definitions

Rule #1 – Infield Fly A fair fly ball . . . which can be caught by an infielder, pitcher or catcher with ordinary effort . . .

Comment: Wording of previous definition was vague concerning the pitcher and catcher.

Rule #3 – Equipment

Rule #3 – Section 1, F SURFACE. The official bat shall be smooth with a maximum surface roughness of 250 micro-inches. It shall be free of burr and visible cracks and shall not have exposed rivets, pins, rough or sharp edges or any form of exterior fastener that would present a hazard.

Comment: Provides a process of measuring the surface roughness of a bat submitted for approval under the ASA 2004 Performance Standard.

Rule #3, Section 1, G BARREL END. If not constructed of wood and not made of one piece construction with the barrel end closed, the barrel end shall have a rubber or vinyl plastic or other approved material insert or end cap at the large end of the bat. The insert or end cap shall be firmly secured and permanently affixed so that it cannot be removed by anyone other than the manufacturer without damaging or destroying the end cap.

Comment: Prior rule applied only to metal bats. This rule change applies to the to all non-wood bats and also ensures that the end cap is securely and permanently attached to the bat.

Rule #3, Section 1, K NEW CONSTRUCTION. The official bat shall be one-piece construction or a multi-piece permanently assembled bat. NOT APPROVED: two-piece bats, multiple piece bats, bats not sold as a single product are not approved, and bats where at least one portion of the bat is intended to be removable by a player from another portion of the bat.

Comment: Manufacturers are beginning to make and sell bats with interchangeable parts or components. Because these multipiece bats are not permanently assembled, they may change the character of the game of softball. Some interchangeable components may not be ASA-approved and creates potential confusion on the field of play for players and umpires. Of the multi-piece bats that have been reviewed, certain durability and safety aspects of the bats remain in question. ASA currently intends to monitor the multi-piece bat technology as it continues to develop.

Rule #3, Section 2, B WARM-UP BAT. The warm-up bat shall comply with the safety grip and safety knob requirements of the official bat (See Rule 3, Sec 1 H & I).

Comment: Safety grip and safety knob requirements for warm up bats are now the same.

Rule #3, Section 5, E HELMETS. …… All Junior Olympic Fast Pitch batting helmets shall be equipped with a securely fastened NOCSAE approved face mask guard.

Comment: To insure the new face mask/guard is permanently attached.

Rule #5 – The Game

Rule #5, Section 8 A 1 HOME RUN RULE. Change from 15 home runs to 12.

Comment: In Men’s Major SP Championships, no team ever reached the 12 home run limit. With the adjusting of the bats and balls, is needed to be competitive.

Rule #5, Section 10 TIME LIMIT RULE. When the time limit is in effect, the time limit begins with the first pitch.

Comment: Now that time limits have been authorized for all region/area play (ASA Code 510 O), there should be a definitive start time.

Rule #5, Section 11 C NEW MEN’S SENIOR SLOW PITCH ONLY. Use the international tie breaker rule after completion of seven (7) innings.

Comment: To conform with other senior organizations.

Rule #6 – Pitching Regulations (16” Slow Pitch)

Rule #6, Section 7 Delete “No pick off can be made.”

Comment: 16” Slow Pitch teams at the National Championship requested this change.

Rule #8 – Batter – Runner and Runner

Rule #8, Section 3 I Add to exception: Women’s Open and Coed Major.

Comment: To allow the Women’s Open and Coed Major division to not run the bases on home runs.

Rule #8, Section 4 G Men’s and Women’s Open Slow Pitch Only. Deletes #1 and #2 and replace with …. The ball remains alive until the pitcher has possession of the ball in the infield and all immediate play has apparently completed. Runners not advancing return to the last base legally touched.

Comment: Eliminate some confusion of when the runners can leave and return to the base. Also, eliminates any judgment as to what the vicinity of the pitching plate is. Should be treated the same as when a base hit is returned to the pitcher in the infield. If no runners are attempting to advance the umpire can call time to stop play. Adding stealing to the upper division of Women’s Slow Pitch will increase participation. It will be a perfect transition between fast pitch and slow pitch.

Rule #8, Section 5 B 1 1. An obstructed runner may not be called out between the two bases where obstructed unless properly appealed for:

NEW a) when an obstructed runner, after the obstruction, safely obtains the base they would have been awarded, in the umpire’s judgment, had there been no obstruction and there is a subsequent play on a different runner, the obstructed runner is no longer protected between the bases where they were obstructed and may be put out,

b. when properly appealed for missing a base,

c. when properly appealed for leaving a base before a fly ball was first touched

d. when committing an act of interference, or

e. when passing another runner.

Comment: This change maintains an offense/defense balance that eliminates confusion on an obstruction play between bases.

Rule #8, Section 5 C NEW Fast Pitch, Slow Pitch with Stealing (Men’s and Women’s Open Slow Pitch.) When a pitched ball that remains live becomes blocked or goes into dead ball territory.

EFFECT: The ball is dead and all runners are awarded one base only. The batter is awarded first base only on the fourth ball.

Comment: Makes all games consistent and better understanding by players and umpires.