SLIDING RULE - The rule on sliding is basically that the runner cannot run into the catcher. If the catcher is there with the ball, the runner can either stop running or slide into the catcher for the attempt to touch home. He can not run over the catcher. If a runner can touch home without making contact with the catcher, (ie the ball is at the backstop and the catcher is reaching for the runner) the runner does not need to slide.
With this said, you will want to discuss sliding at home plate before the game. No matter how many emails are sent out about this rule, there will still be an umpire who calls the runner out for not sliding. If a catcher does not have the ball, he/she should not be blocking the path to home. Catchers should be called for obstruction if they plant themselves on the baseline, waiting for the throw.
TIME LIMIT - all 6:15 games have a time limit of no new innings after 8 pm. If the visiting team can walk off the field at 7:59 on the umps watch, then by the rules, there would be time to start another inning. If mercy is a factor, then I would hope the teams would not play another inning after 7:50, but if just one team wanted to keep playing, it is their right.
Overthrow rule explained - Mosquito and Mites - Here are two examples to the implementation of the rule.
Example #1
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In the play, we had runners on 1st and 2nd base and the ball was grounded back to the pitcher. He thought about throwing the ball to 3rd base for a force, but then he turned to first and threw it past the first basemen. I had been stopping my runners, but once the ball got past the base, I restarted them because the ball was now not in control. Both players on the bases scored and the hitter ended up on 2nd base. Here's where the 2 sides come in. The base umpire agreed with me that once the pitcher attempted to make an out, even though he had fielded the ball, the play was live and the runners could advance until control was re-established. The home plate umpire and the Athens side thought that when the pitcher fielded the ball, the ball was in control and the runners had to stop irregardless of whether he threw the ball or not. In the end, the umpires compromised. The runner on 2nd was allowed to score and the other runners were placed on 1st and 2nd. What do you think?
Answer - The ruling would be that the ball was under the control of an infielder when the pitcher picked up the ball. The runners can only advance to the next base as they surely have not crossed the next bag at this point. Based on what happened, the bases would now be loaded. There is no punishment to the defensive team for attempting the put out on first, and there is no advantage to the offensive team for an overthrow.
We incorporated this rule because we found that coaches were discouraging kids from throwing to first. We would see a hit and then a mad dash to pick up the ball and then run to a bag with the ball to get an out. It was felt the implementation of the no overthrow rule would allow players in the infield to always make the attempt at a throw out, without the comedy of overthrows to first, then picked up and overthrown at second and so on.
Example #2 The runner in the above play rounds the base on the overthrow and gets tagged out. Is the runner out?
Anwer - The runner is out. The umpire will (should) raise his arm on the overthrow, signalling the runners to stop at their next base. If they fail to stop, they are live for a put out. They will be safe upon reaching a bag, but will be asked to return to the previous bag where they were to stop.
Changes in 2007 - overage players will be allowed to play all fielding positions, with the exception to pitcher and catcher! Overage players must be announced to the opposing coach. Overage players that pitch or catch will be suspended for 1 game and the game played will result in a forfeit. The old rule forbid the playing of 1st, 3rd, pitching and catching. Please rotate your key positions, allowing many the opportunity to improve in multiple positions.
Game cancellations - We follow the same general rules as Augusta Softball.
Games are to be cancelled for rain outs and school events.. Attempts must me made to call up players to cover any shortages. The home team is responsible for contacting the visiting team within 2 weeks of a cancellation, booking the makeup game. If a mutually agreeable time can not be arranged, contact Steve Ferguson to arrange a makeup game. Failure to play a game will result in a forfeit against the home team, unless the above steps are followed.
Game Results - home teams are responsible for reporting scores via email to steve.ferguson@queensu.ca or by leaving a message at 613-924-1616. The home team has 7 days to submit the result, (including a rain out) or they will forfeit the game.
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