2004 ASA Rule changes | AlaskaSoftball.com

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2004 ASA Rule changes

Submitted by webmaster on May 6, 2004 - 10:00pm.
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Rule 2, Section 1
Menís Major Slow Pitch (MMSP) base distance has increased to 80 feet (24.38m). The MMSP fence distance should be a minimum of 325 feet (94.06m.)

C O M M E N T S
This base change will add more defensive plays to the game. The fence distance was a result of 470 home runs hit by twelve teams on 300 foot fences at 2003 national championship.

Rule2, Sec. 3(H)(1)
The double base is approved for use at first base. EFFECTIVE 2005: The DOUBLE BASE shall be used at first base in all divisions of play. This base is 15 by 30 inches and made of canvas or other suitable materials. Half the base is white (over fair territory) and half is colored (over foul territory). It should not be more than 5 inches (12.70cm) in thickness.

C O M M E N T S
After successful usage in Junior Olympic play and in Seniors Slow Pitch play, it was recommended by the Equipment Testing and Certification Committee that the double base should be used in all divisions of play. This will go into effect beginning in 2005.

Rule3, Sec. 1A
A. CERTIFIED/APPROVED. The official bat for ASA Championship Play must meet all of the requirements of Rule 3, Section 1, and:
(1) Must bear either the ASA approved 2000 certification mark or the ASA 2004 certification mark as shown below, and must not be listed on an ASA Banned Bat List unless it also bears an ASA approved re-certification mark shown below, or


ASA 2000 Certification Mark	ASA 2004 Certification Mark	ASA Recertification Mark

(2) must be included on a list of approved bat models published by the ASA National Office; or

(3) must, in the sole opinion and discretion of the umpire, have been manufactured prior to 2000, and if tested, would comply with the ASA bat performance standards then in effect.

C O M M E N T S
Beginning January 1, 2004, all bats in ASA Championship Play must pass the ASA 2004 bat standard. All bats having the 2004 certification mark will be allowed in ASA Championship Play. Bats that have the 2000 certification mark will not be allowed in ASA Championship Play unless they are listed on an approved bat list on the ASA website. For convenience, the ASA website will also have a listing of bats that do not pass the ASA 2004 bat standard.

Rule3, Sec. 1E & F
E. SHAPE. The official bat shall be round within 0.050 inches in diameter, and the bat handle must be round or oblong.

F. SURFACE. The official bat shall be smooth with a maximum surface roughness of 0.004 inches. It shall be free of burrs 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.

C O M M E N T S
This provides a process of measuring the diameter and surface roughness of a bat submitted for approval under the ASA 2004 bat standard, as well as allowing the bat handle to be oblong in shape.

Rule3, Sec 1 H

H. SAFETY KNOB. The official bat shall have a Safety Knob of circular or oblong cross section concentric to the bat that complies with this rule. The Knob may be molded, lathed, welded or permanently fastened to the bat, and may be taped as long as there is no violation of this section. The distance from the Safety Grip to the apex of the Knob, shown as (T) in the diagram, shall not exceed 0.3750 inches. The diameter of the Knob (K) shall be at least 0.5 inches greater than the bat handle diameter including the Grip (H). The center line of the Knob (C) shall be perpendicular to the center line of the bat (A). The diameter of the flat region of the Knob adjacent to the Grip (D) shall be at least 0.1250 inches greater than the bat handle diameter including the Grip (H). The angle of the flat region of the Knob adjacent to the Grip (B) shall be perpendicular to the center line of the bat (A) within ten (10) degrees.

C O M M E N T S
The change rewords the bat Safety Knob rule to provide the diagram and better explain the method of measuring safety knob features.

Rule3, Sec. 3A
A. CERTIFIED/APPROVED. Only balls which bear an ASA approved certification mark signifying compliance with the Ball COR and Ball Compression limitations then in effect, and which satisfy all other applicable provisions in Rule 3, Section 3, will be allowed for use in ASA Championship Play. The ASA has developed two separate certification marks for softballs. One mark signified Ball Compression of 300 pounds or less. The other signified Ball Compression of more than 300 pounds, but less than 375 pounds.

The markings are also distinguishable by color, where red represents a Ball COR of .470 or under, black represents a Ball COR of .440 or under, and blue represents a Ball COR of .400 or under. One of the following must be appropriately and indelibly stamped on each softball allowed for use in ASA Championship Play:


Red Colored Marking & Stamp	Red Colored Marking & Stamp
Max 300 lbs Max .47 COR	Max 375 lbs Max .47 COR
Black Colored Marking & Stamp	Black Colored Marking & Stamp
Max 300 lbs Max .44 COR	Max 375 lbs Max .44 COR
Blue Colored Marking & Stamp	Blue Colored Marking & Stamp
Max 300 lbs Max .40 COR	Max 375 lbs Max .40 COR

C O M M E N T S
Beginning in 2004, a 375 pound compression ball will be the only type of compression ball available for use in ASA Championship Play. This new rule allows ASA to certify a lower compression softball beginning in 2005. The change does not effect any of the existing rules in Rule 3, Section 3 (E and F) regarding what type of ball must be used in ASA Championship Play. Instead, the result of this rule change, will be to have two different compression balls available for use in ASA Championship Play in 2005.

Rule3, Sec 5D
D. FACE MASKS/FACE GUARDS. Any defensive player or offensive player can wear an approved plastic face mask/guard. Face masks/guards that are cracked or deformed, or if padding has deteriorated or is missing, are prohibited from use. Fast Pitch catchers cannot wear the plastic face mask/guard.
EFFECTIVE 2005: All Junior Olympic Fast Pitch batting helmets shall be equipped with a NOCSAE approved face mask/guard.

C O M M E N T S
Many J.O. batters and base runners are currently wearing face mask/guards on their helmet as presently this ruling is optional. NOCSAE is expected to have an approved face mask/guard in the spring of 2004 and this will meet the mandatory date of January, 2005.

Rule4, Sec. 3
The word ìDEFOî will be changed to ìFLEXî where ever ìDEFOî was used when referring to the Designated Player rule.

C O M M E N T S
The original intent of the ìDEFOî stood for ìDefense Only,î however since the ìDEFOî can also play offense (bat and run) the term ìFLEXî now better describes the ìFlexible Player.î

Rule, Sec, 8
Add new divisions and new home run totals for Senior Slow Pitch play and include in the rules separately from Major-A-B-C-D Slow Pitch. To now read:

SENIORS 50-55-60-65		SENIORS 70 & 75
Major Plus	Nine (9) plus one up	Major:	Six (6)
Major	Six (6) AAA Three (3)	AAA	Three (3)
AA	One (1)

EFFECT
For any in excess, the ball is dead, the batter is out, and no runners can advance.

One-Up Ruling: If both teams have reached the limit of home runs, either team is allowed to hit an additional home run, to go one home run ahead of the opposing team.

Example: With a six home run limit, the home team hits their sixth home run in the second inning. The visiting team can then hit a total of seven home runs and do so in the top of the third inning. In the bottom of the third, the home team could then hit two more home runs to go one-up again, with a total of eight. This can continue throughout the seven innings, with the exception of the bottom of the 7 th inning. Home runs can only tie the score.

C O M M E N T S
As a result of new divisions of play in the Seniorís Slow Pitch category, new home run limits were established and the ìone-upî Rule was added, for increased interest.

Rule6, Sec. 3, I & J
I. (Womenís and all J.O. Fast Pitch) Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot in contact with the ground is required. If a hole has been created, the pivot foot may drag no higher than the level plane of the ground.

J. (Menís Fast Pitch Only) Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot , or having the toes of the pivot foot in the downward direction is required.

(re-number J-L to K-M)

C O M M E N T S
This rule change allows the men to have the pivot foot off the ground, and if they choose to pitch this way, the PIVOT FOOT TOES MUST be pointed down (towards the ground) while in the air. If the toes are not pointed down, an illegal pitch should be called.

Rule7, Sec. 6, i
THE BATTER IS OUT: i. (16î Slow Pitch Only) When a batter intentionally hits a pitched ball that first strikes the ground or home plate to prevent the catcher from executing a pick-off attempt.

EFFECT: The ball is dead and runners must return.

C O M M E N T S
In the 16î slow pitch game, if the offensive team has a hit and run play on, past rules did not prohibit the batter from swinging at a pitch that has touched the ground or home plate. Under this new wording, the batter will be out for doing this.

Rule8, Sec. 4G
G. (Menís Slow Pitch Only. This does not apply to Masterís, Seniorís or Coed Slow Pitch). Runners may advance when the ball reaches home plate, or if the pitcher has the ball and is not in the vicinity of the pitching plate.
1) If a runner stops or is clearly not advancing when the catcher releases the ball to the pitcher (who is in the vicinity of the pitcherís plate) and the pitcher catches the ball, the play is ruled dead and all runner(s) are returned to the last base legally touched.
2) If the pitcher does not catch the ball or have possession of the ball while in the vicinity of the pitcherís plate, the ball remains live and the runner(s) may advance.
3) Runners may not advance if the pitched ball hits the batter, the ground before reaching the front edge of home plate, or home plate. The ball is dead and a ball is awarded to the batter.
4) The pitcher may cover any base on an attempted put out and if a play is being made on a runner off the base, the ball remains live.5) The above will apply for both legal and illegal pitches.
6) A pitched ball that hits behind home plate and strikes the umpire, or a thrown ball by the catcher that hits the umpire, remains live and runners may advance.

C O M M E N T S
This rule has been used successfully in the upper divisions of Menís Slow Pitch in past years. It has placed the batters, runners and the umpire into the game. Stealing adds another dimension to the game of Slow Pitch.

Rule8, Sec. 5B
The change removed the words ìor no about to receive a thrown ballî from the obstruction rule, so it now reads:
B. When a fielder not in possession of the ball, or not in the act of fielding a batted ball impedes the progress of a runner or batter-runner who is legally running the bases.

C O M M E N T S
Removing ìabout to receive a thrown ballî will not allow players to block a base or home plate without the ball. As one coach so aptly stated, after this ruling was approved, Rather than teach to block the base, catch the ball, and then apply the tag, I will now have to teach to catch the ball, block the base and then apply the tag. Obstruction should be ruled if the fielder blocks the base without the ball.