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RULE 7 - BATTING

Section 1. ON-DECK BATTER.A. The on-deck batter shall take a position within the lines of the on-deck circle

nearest the offensive team area. ;EXCEPTION: Male Adult Fast Pi tch and Men s Modified Classifica tionsof Play may use either on-deck circle.

B. The on-deck batter ma y loosen up with no more than two official Softballbats an approved warm-up bat, or a combination not to exceed two. Anyattachment placed on the bat must be approved by the ASA.

C. The on-deck batter ma y leave the on-deck circle:1. When they become the batter.2. When directing runners advancing from third to home plate.

D. The on-deck batter may not interfere with a defensive player s opportunityto make an out.EFFE T

1. If it involves a runner, the runner closest to home plate at the time of theinterference shall be declared out.2. If it is with the defensive fielder fielding a fly ball, the batter is out.

Section 2. BATTING ORDER.A. The batting order shall show the names, first and last, in the order in which

the players are scheduled to bat.B. The batting order delivered to the umpire must be followed throughout the

game, unless a player is replaced by:1. A substitute who must take the place of the removed player in the battingorder, or2. (Fast Pitch) The FLEX batting for the DP and remaining in the batting orderuntil returning to the 10th position in the l ine-up.The first batter in each inning shall be the batter whose name follows thelast player who completed a turn at bat in the previous inning.EFFECT - Section 2B-C: Batting out of order is an appeal play that may bemade by the defensive team only. The Appeal must be made before the nextpitch, legal or illegal, s made to the following batter, or before the pitcherand all inftelders have vacated their normal fielding positions and have leftfair territory on their way to the team area. On the last play of the game, anappeal may be made until the umpire leaves the field of play.If batting out of order is discovered:1, While the incorrect batter is at bat:EFFECT: The correct batter must take the batter s position and assume theballs and strikes count. Any runner advanced and runs scored while theincorrect batter was at bat shall b e legal. There is no penalty whether dis-covered by the offense or defense while t he incorrect batter is at bat.2. After the incorrect batter ha s completed a turn at bat and before a legalor illegal pitch to the following batter, or before the pitcher and all infieldershave vacated their normal fielding positions an d have left fair territory; or onthe last play of the game, before the umpire leaves the field of play:

RULE 7 - BATTING

C.

D.

EFFE T

a.b.c.

d.

a.b.c.

d.e.

4.

The improper batter s time at bat is negated.The player who should have batted is out.Any advancement or score of a runner as a result of the improperbatter is negated. Runners not called out must return to the lastbase occupied at the time of the pitch. Any runner, who is calledout prior to the discovery of the infraction, remains out.The next batter is the player whose name follows that of the playercalled out for failing to bat.

After a egal or Hlegal pitch to the NEXT BATTER, or after the pitcher andall infielders have vacated their normal fielding positions and have leftfair territory, or on the last play of the game, before the umpire leavesthe field of play.EFFECT:

The turn at bat of the incorrect batter is legal.All runs scored and runners advanced, and outs made are legal.The next batter shall be that player whose name follows that ofthe incorrect batter.No out is called for failure to bat.Players who have not batted and who have not been called outhave lost their turn at bat until their spot in the batting order isreached again in the regular order.

Runners shall not be removed from the base occupied, except thebatter-runner who has been removed from a base by the umpire as in(2) above to bat in the proper position. The correct batter misses theirturn at bat with no penalty. The batter following the correct batter in thebatting order becomes the legal batter.NOTE - Section 2D [1 -4]: In 16 inch SP an appeal must be made priorto a pitch, legal or illegal, o r a hesitation.

The batting order for Coed shall alternate the genders. Coed play will usean 11-inch red-stitch ball for female batters and an 12-inch red stitch ball formale batters.

EFFECT: When the wrong ball is used, the manager of the offensive team hasthe option of taking the result of the play or having the last batter bat againassuming the ball and strike count prior to the wrong ball being discovered.When the third out in an inning is made before the batter has completed theirturn at bat, that player shall be the first batter in the next inning.

lection 3. BATTING POSITION.A. Prior to the pitch, the batter must have both feet completely within the lines

of the batter s box. The batter may touch the lines, but no part of the footmay be outside the lines prior to the pitch.(Adult Slow Pitch ONLY. Except Seniors.) The batter shall assume a one-ball,one-strike count upon entering the batter s box.The batter must take the batter s position in the batter s box within 10 secondsafter being directed to do so by the umpire.

B.

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RULE 7 BATTING

EFFECT: The umpire will call a strike. No pitch has to be thrown and the bailis dead.

D. (Junior Olympic, Modified Pitch) After entering the batter s box, th e battermust remain in the box with at least one foot between pitches and whiletaking signals and practice swings.EXCEPTIONS: The batter can leave the box:

1. When the ball is batted fair or foul.2. On a swing, slap or check swing.3. When forced out of the box by a pitch.4. On a wild pitch or passed ball.5. When a play is attempted.6. When time has been called.7. When the pitcher leaves the eight-foot circle or the catcher leaves

the catcher s box.8. On a three ball count pitch that is a strike that the batter thinks is

a ball.EFFECT: If the batter leaves the batter s box and delays play, forany other reason the umpire may warn the batter or call a strike.Any number of warnings and called strikes can be made with eachbatter. No pitch has to be thrown and the ball is dead.

E. The batter shall n ot step directly in front of the catcher to the other b atter sbox while the pitcher (FP) is taking the signal or (SP) is in position to pitch,or anytime thereafter prior to the release of the pitch.EFFECT: The ball is dead, the batter is out and runners may not advance.

F. After the ball is live, the batter may not step out of the batter s box to stopplay unless time has been granted by the umpire.EFFECT:

1. All play shall continue.2. The pitch will be judged a ball or strike by the umpire.

Section 4. A STRIKE IS CALLED BY THE UMPIRE.

A. Fast Pitch/Slow Pitch with stealing) For each legally pitched ball enteringthe strike zone.EFFECT: The ball is live and runners may advance with liability to be putout.

B. (Slow Pitch) For each legally pitched ball passing through t he strike zonebefore touching the ground and the batter does not swing. Any pitched ballthat hits the ground or plate cannot be legally swung at by the batter. If thebatter swings and misses prior to the ball hitting the ground or plate, it is a

strike.EFFECT: The ball is dead.

C. (Seniors) When the pitch touches home plate or the strike mat.D. For each legally pitched ball swung at and missed by the batter.

(Fast Pitch/Slow Pitch with stealing)EFFECT: The ball is live and runners may advance with liability to be putout.

RULE 7 BATTING

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J.K.

M.

(Slow Pitch without stealing)EFFECT: The ball is dead.For each foul tip.EFFECT: (Fast Pitch/Slow Pitch with stealing) The ball is live and runnersmay advance with liability to be put out. The batter is out if it is the third strike.1. Slow Pitch without stealing) The ball is dead and the batter is out if it

is the third strike.2. 16-Inch Slow P itch) The ball remains live; runners cannot advance.(Fast Pitch) For each foul ball when the batter has fewer than two strikes.(Slow Pitch) For each foul ball, including the third strike.NOTE Section 4E F: If a pitched ball is swung at, missed, and then hit onthe follow through, it is a strike and a dead ball.For each pitched ball swung at and missed which touches any part of thebatter.When any part of the batter s person or clothing is hit with a batted ball w hilethe batter is in the ba tter s box and (FP) h as fewer than two strikes.When a legally pitched ball hits the batter while the ball is in the strike zone.If the batter does not take their position in the batter s box within 10 secondsafter being directed by the umpire.(Junior Olympic and Adult M odified Pitch) When, between pitches, the batterleaves the ba tter s box illegally or does not return to the box after a warning.EFFECT Section 4F L: T he ball is dead a nd each runner must return totheir base w ithout liability to be put out.When a pitched ball is prevented from entering the strike zone by any actionsof the batter other than hitting the ball.EFFECT: Th e ball is dead and a strike is called.

Section 5. A BALL IS CALLED BY THE UMPIRE.

A. (Fast Pitch) For each legally pitched ball that does no t enter the strike zone,touches the ground before reaching home plate, or touches home plate, andthe batter does no t swing.EFFECT: The ball is live and runners are entitled to advance with liability tobe put out.

B. (Slow Pitch) For each legally pitched ball that does not enter the strike zone,touches the ground before reaching home plate, or touches home plate,and the batter does n ot swing. Any pitched b all that hits the ground o r platecannot be legally sw ung at by the batter. If the batter swings at a pitch afterthe ball hits the ground or plate, it is a ball.EFFECT: The ball is dead an d runners may not advance.EXCEPTION: (16-Inch Slow Pitch): The ball remains live; however,runners cannot advance. If the batter swings at the ball, it would bebatter interference.

C. (Seniors) A legally pitched ball that does not touch home plate or the strikemat.

D. Fast Pitch) For each illegally pitched ball not swung at or swung at andmissed.

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EFFECT: The ball is dead and runners are entitled to advance one basewithout liability to be put out.(Slow Pitch) For each illegally pitched ball not swung at.EFFECT: The ball is dead and runners may not advance.EXCEPTION: Slow Pitch with stealing unless the ball hits the ground beforereaching home plate or hits the plate.(Men's & Women's Adult Slow Pitch with Stealing) When a pitched ball hitsthe batter outside the strike zone.When the catcher fa ils to return the ball directly to the pitcher as required.

For each excessive warm-up pitch.EFFECT Section 5F H: The ball is dead and runners may not advance.

Section 6. THE BATTER IS OUT

A. When the third strike is:1. Swung at and the pitched ball touches any part of the batter's person,

G.

H.

B.

or

2.

3.

Is not swung at, and the pitched ball hits the batter while the pitch is inthe strike zone.When the pitched ball, in the umpire's judgment, is prevented fromentering the strike zone by actions of the batter other than hitting theball.

When a batter enters the batter's box with or is discovered using an alteredor non-approved bat.EFFECT: The batter shall be ejected from the game, and if in a tournament,

may b e subject to future penalties by the Tournament Protest Committee.When discovered using an Altered or Non-approved bat after completingtheir turn at bat and before the next pitch, legal or illegal.EFFECT: The batter is called out and ejected and if in a tournament, maybe subject to future penalties by the Tournament Protest Committee.When the batter enters the batter's box with or is discovered using an illegalbat.EFFECT: he batter is called out.Note Section 6B C: If a previous batter has used the same altered or illegalbat and a pitch has been made, the current batter only is out.When discovered using a n Illegal bat after completing their turn at bat andbefore the next pitch, legal or illegal.EFFECT: The batter is out, all outs stand and all other runners r eturn tolbase occupied at the time of the pitch.When an entire foot is touching th e ground completely outside the lines of jthe batter's box at the time the ball makes contact with the bat.

When any part of a foot is touching home plate at the time the ball makescontact with the bat.When a batter leaves the batter's box and returns to the box and makescontact with the ball.(Fast Pitch) When the batter bunts foul after the second strike. If the ball scaught before touching the ground, it remains live.

RULE 7 BATTING

M

NOP.

Q.R.

S.T.U.

(Slow Pitch) When the batter bunts or chops the ball.When members of the team at bat, including those in the team area, otherthan runners interfere with a player attempting to field a fair or foul fly ball.(16 Slow Pitch) When a batter intentionally hits a pitched ball that first strikesthe ground or home plate, to prevent the catcher from executing a pick-offattempt.

When the batter hits a fair ball with the bat a second time in fair terri tory.EFFECT Section 6F M: The ball is dead and runner(s) must return to thebase occupied at the time of the pitch.

EXCEPTION:

1. When the batter is in the batter's box and contact is made while the batis in the batter's hands.

EFFECT: Foul ball, even if the ball is hit a second time over fair territory.2. When the batter drops the bat and the ball rolls against the bat in fair

territory, and, in the umpire's judgment, there was no intent to interferewith the ball.

EFFECT: The ball is live.

3. When contact is made on the follow through after missing the pitch onthe initial swing.

EFFECT: The ball is dead, and a strike is called.(Slow Pitch) After a third strike, including a foul ball that is hit after two strikes.(Fast Pitch) When a called or swinging third strike is caught by the catcher.(Fast Pitch) When the batter has three strikes and/or if there are fewer thantwo outs and first base is occupied at the time of the pitch.Whenever the batter due up has left the game under the Short-Handed Rule.When hindering the catcher from catching or throwing the ball by steppingout of the batter's box.

When actively hindering the catcher while in the batter's box.When intentionally interfering with a thrown ball, in or out of the b atter's box.When interfering with a play at home plate.EFFECT Section 6P S: The ball is dead, the batter is out and each runnermust return to the last base that, in the umpire's judgment, was touched atthe time of the interference.EXCEPTION: If no play is being made and the batter accidentally makescontact with the catcher's return throw to the pitcher, the ball is dead andany advancement of runner(s) shall be nullified.