The NFHS rule books state an infield fly is a fair fly (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, (rule does not preclude outfielders from being allowed to attempt to make the catch) and provided the hit is made before two outs, and at a time when 1st and 2nd or all bases are occupied.

When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly, the umpire immediately announces it for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near a baseline, the umpire shall declare, “Infield fly, if fair.” The runners may advance at their own risk if the ball is misplayed. They must tag properly if the ball is caught.
Here is the kicker that many people don’t know. Remember the rule states that the fly can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort. So when teams do the big shift like most MLB teams do for David Ortiz it is still an infield fly. (more…)

With the start of baseball and softball season less than a month away, it’s time to have Dale Anzo resume with the “Ask Anzo” feature.

By Dale Anzo

I’ll bet everyone that knows baseball and softball rules thinks they know what a catch is. Well, I beg to differ. Here is the rule as written in the rule book:

A catch is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a live ball in flight and firmly holding it, provided he does not use his cap, protector, mask, pocket, or other part of his uniform to trap the ball. The catch of a fly ball by a fielder is not completed until the continuing action of the catch is completed. A fielder who catches a ball and then runs into a wall or another player and drops the ball has not made a catch. A fielder, at full speed who catches the ball and whose initial momentum carries him several more yards after which the ball drops from his glove has not made a catch. When the fielder by his action of stopping, removing the ball from his glove, etc. signifies the initial action is completed and then drops the ball, will be judged to have made a catch.

The same definition of a catch would apply when making a double play. It is considered a catch if a fielder catches a fair or foul ball and then steps or falls into a bench, dugout, stand, bleacher, or over any boundary or barrier, such as a fence, rope, chalk line, or a pregame determined imaginary boundary line from the field of play. Falling into does include merely running against such object. It is not a catch when a fielder touches a batted ball in flight which then contacts a member of the offensive team or an umpire and is then caught by a defensive player. (more…)

Time out

The granting of “time out” is at the umpire’s discretion in both baseball and softball. Coaches and players can request time out, but time out can only be given by an umpire. An umpire decides when and to whom to grant time out, based on whether or not the umpire feels that time out is needed. A time out request only takes affect if the umpire grants it. If a coach or player requests time out and it is not granted, play continues uninterrupted.

Dual first base bags
According to high school softball rules:

1. The defense must use the white portion and the batter-runner the colored portion when a play is being made on the batter-runner.
Penalties

A. The batter-runner is out when there is a play being made at 1st base and the batter-runner touches the white only portion provided the defense appeals prior to the batter-runner returning to touch the white or colored base.

B. The batter-runner is out for interference when there is a force play and the batter-runner touches only the white portion and collides with the fielder about to catch a thrown ball while on the white. (more…)

By Dale Anzo

There is time in baseball and softball that an umpire might have to recognize a fourth out. The only time you would recognize a fourth out is prevent a run. What you have to remember about the fourth out is that it is a timing play.

Here is a play that actually happened to me:

The bases were loaded with one out. The batter hits a pop fly to left field. The left fielder catches the ball, and all runners tag up. The runner on first base does not tag properly. (more…)

There are two rules that govern rounding first base. The first one applies in both softball and baseball. The second applies only in softball.

Softball & Baseball

A runner can over run 1st base in any direction. They can run and turn to the right, or into foul territory, or they can turn left and into fair territory. Once the runner turns, in order to be safe, they must return to 1st base almost immediately. It is the umpire’s judgment if the runner made an attempt to 2nd base. If in the umpire’s judgment the runner did make an attempt to go to 2nd, then they can be tagged out. If in the umpires judgment there was no attempt and they return to 1st base and are tagged in fair territory they are safe. (more…)

If you look in the high school baseball or softball rule books, you will never find anywhere in there that a runner has to slide. What it does say is that a runner must slide legally, or if the fielder has the ball he or she must “give up.”

Now you may be asking yourself, what is a legal slide?  A legal slide may be either feet first or head first.  If a runner slides feet first, at least one leg and buttock shall be on the ground. If a runner slides, the runner shall be within reach of the base with either hand or a foot when the slide is completed.

Illegal slides:
1. The runner uses a rolling or cross-body slide into the fielder.
2. The runner’s raised leg is higher than the fielder’s knee when the fielder is in a standing position.
3. The runner goes beyond the base and makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder.
4. The runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg.
5. The runner tries to injure the fielder. (more…)

Ever wonder what the rule really is on that play that you claim cost your team the game? Well, now you can find out by asking umpire Dale Anzo. Anzo will be answering questions about baseball and softball rules on a regular basis on SiskiyouYouth.com.

Before I give you his initial rule explanation, I’ll let you know how this feature came to be.

For about four years, at three different media outlets, I’ve been trying to get officials to explain the rules of the game. There are a lot of people yelling at the officials who don’t know some of the rules. And, I’m sort of tired of officials complaining that fans, players, and coaches don’t know the rules.

So far this school year, I approached officials from football, volleyball, soccer, and basketball. They all said it was a great idea and assured me that they would do it. None did. So, I figure if they won’t take the initiative to do some explaining, go ahead and yell at them. Let them whine. (more…)