2009 ASA Playing Rule Changes

Rule 1 Definition Charged Conference: When team representative requests a suspension of play or delays the game for the purpose of delivering a message to another team member, unless the pitcher is removed from pitching position.

Comment: This allows the coach to talk to their pitcher before deciding to remove the pitcher without being charged a conference.

Rule 2 Section 1: Men’s Modified fence distance to be a max of 325 Feet.

Comment: Modified Players requested this to add more defense to the game.

Rule 3 Section 1 A 1: Remove the word “or” and replace with “and”.

Comment: All approved bats must have the certification mark and be on the list of approved bats. Item 3 of the rule about the bats manufactured before 2000 still applies.

Rule 3 Section 1 F: The bat shall be free of burrs, DENTS and visible cracks…

Comment: This adds to the call out of the surface of the bat to be free if dents. Umpires will no longer have to identify if a dent is small enough to for the bat ring to fit over the bat. If it has a dent the bat shall be removed from competition.

Rule: 3 Section 1 K The official bat shall be of one piece construction, multi-piece permanently assembled or two piece interchangeable construction. If the bat is designed with interchangeable components it must meet the following additional criteria:

1. Mating components must have a unique locking key to prevent uncertified equipment combinations in the field.

2. All component combinations must meet the one-piece bat rules.

3. Manufacturer must demonstrate that the interchangeable bat fails in a safe manner. (i.e. visible damage before locking feature('s) fail's)

4. Bat components must be designed in a way to prevent uncertified equipment alterations.

Comments: This allows for new bat technology that the Equipment Standards Committee has studied for several years before approving it.

Rule 3 Section 3 B: The Optic yellow ball shall be used in National Championships beginning in 2010 for all Slow Pitch, including Coed, Masters, and Seniors.

Comment: The Slow Pitch players wanted this because the yellow ball is easier to see as the game goes on.

Rule 3 Section 6 G: Effect: Players wearing metal cleats after being warned by the umpire not to do so shall be ejected.

Comment: This adds a penalty for players who wear metal cleats where not allowed and have been asked not too.

Rule 4 Section 2 I: Allow a courtesy runner for an ADA player.

Comment: This allows a courtesy runner for ADA player who is on base. The rule will be the same as the Seniors rule.

Rule 4 Section 6 C 1: Removes the penalty of disqualification from the Substitution Rule.

Comment: This only removes the disqualification portion of the rule, the balance of the penalties still apply. The unreported substituent is now in the game and all rules regarding reentry still apply.

Rule 5 Section 8 A: Adds home run limits to Women’s Slow Pitch in classifications as follows:

1. Women’s Open Unlimited

2. Women’s Class C 4

3. Women’s Class D 2

Comment: Sets new limits for the number of Home Runs in Women's Slow Pitch

Rule 5 Section A 1: Move Slow Pitch Coed Major Classification to the 8 Home Run limit category.

Comment: The Slow Pitch Task Force asked for this based on the players input.

Rule 5 Section A 2: Move Men’s Slow Pitch B Classification to the 6 Home Run limit category.

Comment: The Slow Pitch Task Force asked for this based on the players input.

Rule 5 Section 8 A: Move Men’s C Slow Pitch Classification and Coed A Slow Pitch Classification to the 4 Home Run limit category.

Comment: The Slow Pitch Task Force asked for this based on the players input.

Rule 5 Section 8 A: Move Men’s D Slow Pitch Classification and Coed B Classification to the 2 Home Run limit Category.

Comment: The Slow Pitch Task Force asked for this based on the players input. This also removes the ½ inning out for the D classification.

Rule 5 Section 8 A 6: Add Men’s E/Rec. Slow Pitch Classification of play and establish a zero Home Run limit. Any over the fence Home Run is a ½ Inning ending out.

Comment: The code added a new classification of Men’s Slow Pitch, and restricted their home runs.

Rule 5 Section 9 A 1: Men’s Fast Pitch Only: the Run Ahead Rule is now 15 after 3, 12 After 4 and 7 after 5.

Comment: This changes Men’s Fast pitch from 8 after 5 innings to 7 after 5 innings.

Rule 5 Section 9 A 3: Men’s A Slow Pitch Only, 20 after 4 and 15 after 5.

Comment: This changes Men’s A Slow Pitch Run Ahead Rule from 20 after 3 to 20 after 4.

Rule 5 Section 11: Add the 45 –O Men’s Classification to the Tiebreaker rule.

Comment: The 45 – 0 Classification of Men’s Fast Pitch will play under the same Tiebreaker rule as Junior Olympic Girls.

Rule 6 Section 1 A Fast Pitch and Modified: The pitcher must take the position on the pitcher’s plate with the hands separated and the ball in the glove or the pitcher's hand.

Comment: This only clarifies a rule that Fast Pitch and Modified have enforced for years.

Rule 6 Section 3 O Fast Pitch and N Modified: Effect: A ball called on the batter.

Comment: The Effect of Letter O in Fast Pitch and N in Modified was an Illegal pitch and were always intended to be a ball on the batter only.

Rule 6 Section 6 A Fast Pitch: ….an Approved manufactured drying agent that is included on the list published by the ASA, may be used by the pitcher. The resin must be left on the ground and the approved drying agent in the pitcher’s pocket. Effect: … If any other substance is found in the pitcher’s pocket the pitcher shall be ejected.

Comment: Some drying agents are resign and need to submitted to ASA for approval before they can be used by the pitcher. Currently only Gorilla Gold is approved.

Rule 7 Section 3 B: Prior to the pitch in adult Slow Pitch the batter will enter the batters box with a one-ball one-strike count. Exception: Masters and Seniors

Comment: The Slow Pitch Players wanted this rule.

Rule 8 Section 1 C 2: add to the exception 16” Slow Pitch the ball remains live.

Comment: In 16” Slow Pitch runners can lead off and can be picked off therefore the ball should remain live.

Rule 8 Section 3 I Exception: Add Masters.

Comment: The Masters Division can now hit an over the fence home run and not run the bases.

Rule 8 Section 5 I: When a fair-batted ball deflects off a fence then off the fielder before going over the home run fence. Effect: The ball is dead. All runners and or batter-runner are awarded two bases from the time of the pitch.

Comment: This should be a two base award since it cannot be caught for an out. We are now consistent with other organizations.

Rule 8 Section 7 I 2: If properly appealed by any defensive player during a live ball the runner is out.

Comment: This is a clarification of the rule as umpires have called it.

Rule 8 Section 10: (All Fast Pitch)

Comment: All Fast Pitch will follow the Courtesy runner rule previously used only by the Junior Olympic Classification of Girls and Boys.

11/17/2008