1. When using five inch thick bases, it is permissible to use an orange tapered edge base, three inches thick, for the contrasting colored base.

2. On fly balls hit to the outfield near the foul line and your partner does not go out, the plate umpire should signal catch/no catch and then give the ball status of fair or foul.

3. After B1 hits the ball and reaches second base safely, the catcher picks up the bat and appeals to the plate umpire that there is so much tape on the handle of the bat that the knob is not distinguishable. The umpire rules that this is an altered bat.

4. The plate umpire may wear either blue or gray ASA ball bag(s) with navy blue pants.

5. Under the supervision and control of the umpire, powder resin and/or an approved manufactured drying agent may be used by the pitcher that is included on the list published by the ASA. Both the resin and the approved drying agent must remain in the pitcher’s pocket.

6. In both the Two and Three Umpire System, if the base umpire goes out on a fly ball near the line from behind F4, the base umpire is responsible for the catch or no catch and the plate umpire is responsible for fair or foul.

7. Levi’s and cutoffs are not considered proper attire for coaches.

8. When the heat index reaches 100 degrees, games must be suspended as outlined in the Safety Awareness Guide.

9. The Tie-Breaker Rule is used in fast pitch games only.

10. A bat with a cone-shaped grip is legal in all divisions of ASA play.

11. An altered bat has been used by several players before it is discovered. The penalty should apply to all batters who used the bat during this inning.

12. An appeal may be made during a live ball by any fielder in possession of the ball by touching the base missed or left too soon on a caught fly ball, or by tagging the runner who committed the violation if the runner is still on the playing field.

13. A substitute may be reported by the manager to the plate umpire or to the official scorekeeper.

14. In a Three Umpire System with runners on 1st and 2nd base and the 3B Umpire goes out, the 1B Umpire should button hook inside the diamond and has tag-up responsibilities for both runners at 1st and 2nd base.

15. There is no penalty for failing to list an available substitute on the line-up card.

16. A runner can never be called out when hit by a batted ball while in contact with a base.

17. The plate umpire does not need to record substitutions and/or courtesy runners when an official scorer is used.

18. The base path is a line directly between a base and a runner’s position at the time a defensive player is attempting to tag that runner.

19. When there is spectator interference, the ball is dead, the batter and all runners are awarded 2 bases from the time of the interference.

20. In the Two Umpire System the base umpire should go to the outfield on a catch/no catch situation or go out on balls too close to the foul line.

21. A defensive player may use the contrasting colored portion of the double base on any force out attempt from foul ground.

22. A player who re-enters the game for the second time must re-enter in a different position in the batting order.  

23. A catcher sets up in a manner that gives the plate umpire no view through the slot. The umpire should move to the other side of the catcher to get a better view of the pitch.

24. Substitute Jones comes into the game in the fourth inning without reporting and hits a single. A pitch is thrown to the next batter then the opposing team notifies the home plate umpire that Jones did not report. The umpire removes Jones from the base and rules him out and disqualified.

25. It is the plate umpire’s responsibility to call the infield fly.

26. In the Two Umpire System when the plate umpire rotates to third base for a play and the ball gets away from the fielder allowing the runner to advance to the plate, the base umpire should cover home plate.

27. Umpires have the option of wearing a t-shirt under the powder blue or navy blue polo uniform shirt.

28. In a Two Umpire System, the base umpire is responsible for the call at third base on the last runner.

29. With one out and a R1 on first base, the B3 hits a ground ball to F4. F4 tags B3 and immediately throws the ball to F6 who tags second base before R1 reaches the base. This is a double play and the inning is over.

30. When interference is an attempt to prevent a double play, the succeeding runner shall be called out.

31. With no outs, R1 on first base and B2 scheduled to bat, B4 comes to bat instead and grounds into a double play. Before the next batter steps into the batter’s box, the defense appeals that B4 batted out of order. The umpire rules that the double play stands and that B2 is also declared out for the third out of the inning.

32. A Player wearing metal cleats after being warned by the umpire shall be disqualified from the game.

33. The Three Umpire System in both fast and slow pitch are:

34. Substitute Davis comes into the game unreported and doubles to left field. Before the next pitch, the defensive team appeals to the home plate umpire that Davis is the wrong batter. The Umpire:

35. B1 hits a ground ball to F6, an unreported substitute, who fields the ball and throws B1 out at first base. Before a pitch to B2, the offensive team protests that F6 is an illegal player. The umpire should rule:

36. When a batted ball hits the batter’s foot while the batter is in the box. The umpire should:

37. A fake tag is a form of Obstruction. It occurs when the fielder, without the ball, deceives the runner thus impeding their progress. A fake tag can occur when the runner, as a result of the fake tag

38. With one out and bases loaded, F3 is playing in front of first base. B5 hits a fair line drive that strikes R3 off base in fair territory and then the ball bounces into dead ball territory. When the ball went out of play, no runners had advanced to the next base.

39. With R1 of first base, B2 hits a line drive base hit to F8. The plate umpire should

40. With no outs, R1 on third base and R2 on second base, R1 is hit with a fair batted ball while standing on the base. R1 does not intentionally interfere. F5 is the closest defensive player and is playing behind third base. The correct ruling is:

41. In a Two Umpire System with R1 on second base, B2 hits a fly ball to F9 who make a routine catch. Which mechanics are correct?

42. B1 accidentally makes contact with F2’s return throw to F1:

43. If a pitcher has started the pitch and the batter holds up a hand requesting “time out,” the umpire should:

44. All the following are true regarding a legal softball bat, EXCEPT:

45. A Safety Grip:

46. In a JO game, the pitcher of Team A comes to bat and hits a single. On the first pitch to the next batter, R1 steals 2nd base. The coach of Team A may replace her with a courtesy runner at this time.

47. F1 takes the sign from the dugout while standing behind the pitcher’s plate then steps on the pitcher’s plate with the hands separated, simulates taking a sign from the catcher and brings the hands together to start the pitch. The umpire calls an illegal pitch because the pitcher did not take the sign on the pitcher’s plate.

48. With 1 out, R1 on second base and R2 on first base, B4 hits a routine pop fly to the second baseman. In the judgment of the umpire, the ball should be caught with ordinary effort. The second baseman makes the catch and then intentionally drops the ball. The umpires correctly rule a dead ball as a result of the intentional dropping of the ball.

49. With one out and R1 on third base, B3 draws a walk. F2 immediately returns the ball to F1 who is in the eight foot circle. In which of the following would the Look Back Rule be invoked:

50. With bases loaded, two outs and a 3-2 count on B6, F1 delivers the pitch. B6 swings and misses the pitch that bounces in front of home plate. Which is the correct ruling?

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