Re: Approved ASA Rule Changes

I think y'all are making this much more difficult than it is.

A fielder should catch the ball and then move into the basepath an effort to
retire the runner.

Until next year, the fielder was permitted in the basepath only if the ball was
going to reach the fielder prior to the runner.  With the rule change, the
fielder is no longer allowed in the basepath until they actually receive the
ball.

Makes for a much safer game and narrows the amount of judgment an umpire must
employ in making this call.  BTW, I've never seen a true softball umpire
hesitate making an obstruction call on this type of play.


Mike Rowe  
DASA UIC