MANAGING CHANGES AND SUBSTITUTIONS

• The layout of the Line Up Card
• Communications with the Coach and Statistician
• How to write positional and substitutions on the card
• The Designated Player/Flex Player changes
• How to mark up Conferences, Illegal Pitches and Notes
• Scripts to guide your conversation with the Coach and Statistician

WHAT’S THE CALL BLUE?

THE SCENARIO
R1 on 1st, batter hits a shallow fly ball just inside the infield, between F4 and F3. F3 and the runner from 1st collide off the base, knocking each other to the ground. However, F4 manages to catch the ball and then runs over to tag the runner who is still on the ground. 

If the umpire judges that F4 was in the best position to catch the ball, and the umpire calls obstruction on R1 by F3, Batter is out on the catch, and the runner is returned to 1st when the tag is made and a dead ball is called. 

However, the point of contention is, if the umpire initially judges F3 as more likely to take the catch... is a dead ball, interference called straight away, negating the subsequent catch and we place the BR on 1st, or do we let the play unfold more and allow for a potential double play? 

RESPONSE
Good question and well set out.  You have sound reasoning. 

The issue as you pointed out is the umpire needs to make a decision quickly. Interference is always called straight away as the ball is dead. The umpire cannot wait to see if it will be caught. This is not a delayed dead ball situation.

A good game management approach is best. The umpire should hesitate, take in all the inputs and should observe the actions and reactions of runners and fielders then make the judgement call.

All contact is not necessarily interference or obstruction as well, although in this case it is obvious you will need to call one or the other, it will remain a judgement call.

RELATED CASE PLAY

R1 on 3rd with two out. B4 hits a fly ball to the area in fair territory just behind 3rd where both F6 and F5 have an equal chance to catch it. R1 leaves 3rd on the hit and accidentally bumps into F5. F6 catches the ball. (a) Should R1 be called out for interfering with F5? (b) Is the caught fly the third out? (c) Will the decision have any bearing on who will be up to bat in the next inning?

RULING: a) R1 should not be called out for interference. b) The caught fly ball is the third out c) The first batter in the next innings will be B5 (the batter following B4 who just hit the ball). Rule 5.10.3 c) iii.

Note: All contact by the offence or defence is not necessarily Obstruction or Interference.

When two fielders have equal opportunity to catch a flyball or make a play on any batted ball the umpire must decide the fielder who will field the ball, a slight hesitation before making the call here is appropriate, although this is not a delayed dead ball situation. F5 could have caused obstruction.

Umpires should observe the actions and reactions of runners and fielders to help with this judgment.

It's been 55 years since first-ever Women’s Softball World Championship in 1965.

Take a look at how our game and Umpiring has evolved over the last 55 years. 

We are proud of the 1965 Australian Women’s Hall Of Fame, Gold Medal winning Team, and we continue to draw inspiration from the pioneers of Softball in Australia.