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2003 Important Rule Changes
Edmonton Youth Softball Association
| 1) |
AA Umpire Fees (Page 20) |
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Note that the hometeam at the AA level will pay all umpire fees for a game. Note also that umpire fees have changed to a flat rate of $20 per umpire for up to and including two umpires.
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| 2) |
Official Ball (Page 27) |
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AA Girls (Pee Wee and above) will use a 12" Optic playing ball. Boys will use a White playing ball.
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| 3) |
Umpire Travel Charge (Page 20) |
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A change was made after the 2003 EYSA books were printed. The umpire travel charge for surrounding communities is $10, not $5. This travel charge does not apply to AA games in either Sherwood Park or St. Albert.
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Alberta Amateur Softball Association
| 1) |
Batter's Box (Page 33) |
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A new rule was introduced by the AASA in an attempt to speed up the game.
Batters Box - all FP categories
After entering the batters box, the batter must remain in the box with at least one Foot, between pitches and while taking signals and practice swings.
Exceptions:
a) If the ball is hit foul or fair
b) On the swing, slap, or check swing
c) If forced out of the box by a pitch
d) On a wild pitch or passed ball
e) If there is an attempted play
f) If time out has been called
g) If the pitcher leaves the 8 foot circle or the catcher leaves the catchers box
h) On a three ball pitch that is a strike, which the batter thinks is a ball
Effects:
If the batter leaves the batters box and delays play, and none of these exceptions apply, the umpire may warn the batter or call a strike. Note: any number of warnings and called strikes can be made with each batter. No pitch has to be thrown and the ball is dead.
The purpose of this rule, as stated above, is to speed up the game. The batter should still err on the side of caution when a play might occur at home plate, and leave the batter's box. |
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Canadian Amateur Softball Association
| 1) |
Rulebook Corretions |
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Several corrections to the printed rulebook are available.
| 1. |
SP Page 40 Rule 3-6b
Eliminate the Note
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| 2. |
Page 65 SP and Page 141 FP Rule 9-1o
Delete the following portion: "When in the judgment of the umpire, the coach touches or helps the runner physically to assist him to return to, or to leave a base, or."
Rule 9-1o to now read: When the coach near third base runs in the direction of home plate on or near the baseline while the fielder is attempting to make a play on a batted ball or thrown ball, and thereby draws a throw to home plate.
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| 3. |
FP Page 101 Rule 1-55
d. should be illegal "pitch" not "pitcher"
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| 4. |
FP Page 107 Rule 3g
Eliminate the brackets in the second sentence, to read:
The Coefficient of Restitution (COR) of the official ball may not exceed .47 and be mid compression, to take effect in 2004.
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| 5. |
FP Page 121 Rule 6 Effect 1-6 Exception and Orthodox Page 124 Rule 6-7 Effect 1-7 Exception
…Passed ball or wild throw by the catcher… should be passed ball or wild pitch by the pitcher…
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| 6. |
Rule Change Rescinded
Page 37 SP and Page 106 FP Rule 3-1b (The Official Bat)
Eliminate "1.0 or less, to take effect in 2004" This rule change was rescinded at a Special General Meeting held via conference call February 26, 2003.
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| 7. |
Clarification
FP Page 103 top of page
This note should be boxed separately to show that it belongs with R1-70 Slap Hit on page 102.
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| 2) |
Conferences (Pages 118, 119) |
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The conference rule in regard to defensive conferences has been changed. Here are the important points:
| 1. |
The conference rule is extended to all defensive players. For example, a conference with the shortstop counts as the current pitcher's one defensive conference for the inning.
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| 2. |
A conference includes a defensive player leaving his position for the dugout to receive instructions, regardless of whether "Time" has been called or not.
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| 3. |
A coach/manager reporting a change to the umpire is not a conference unless the manager then crosses the foul line to talk to any defensive player.
Exception: If this change is a pitching change and the pitcher leaves the pitching position prior to the manager crossing the foul line, the manager may legally enter fair territory to talk with any defensive player, while the new pitcher is taking his warm-up pitches, without a conference being charged. |
Remember, for offensive conferences, it is a conference when a team representative confers with any team member, including a coach.
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| 3) |
Option On Illegal Pitch (Page 121) |
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An option was introduced in certain instances when an illegal pitch has been hit. From Rule 6-6:
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If the illegal pitch is hit, the manager of the offensive team has the option of taking
a) The award for the illegal pitch, or
b) The result of the play.
Exception: If the batter hits the ball, or swings for a third strike, and reaches first base safely, and if all other runners have advanced at least one base on the batted ball, the illegal pitch is nullified. All actions as a result of the batted ball stand and no option is given.
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| 4. |
If the manager does not take the result of the play, the Illegal Pitch is enforced by awarding a ball to the batter (first base if ball four) and advancing all runners one base. The ball is dead.
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| 5. |
When an illegal pitch hits the batter, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base and all runners are advanced one base. No option is given.
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| 4) |
Slap Hit (Pages 102, 103) |
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The slap hit now includes the drag (running) bunt when the batter uses a "controlled short, chopping motion rather than a full swing." A slap hit is not considered a bunt. |
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