1) How many overaged players may I carry on my team?
2) What is the proper method for handling a roster check?
Age Divisions - All teams will be allowed to carry no more than six (6) players that are no more than three (3) months too old for that division. Teams should be aware that the older players might be ineligible for some of the tournaments in the area.
The team manager or interim team manager should always have a copy of the approved team roster and all approved roster revision forms in his/her possession at all league games. If a roster check is called and the roster is not present at the field, the game shall continue under protest with no protest fee being posted. A SPAA board member or board representative shall have the player(s) in question write their name, address, phone number, hair and eye color, and parents names on a piece of paper and sign it. The game will go on and be played as scheduled.
There is nothing foul about a foul-tip. If the ball nicks the bat and goes sharp and direct to the catcher's hand or glove and is caught, this is a foul-tip by definition. A foul-tip is a strike and the ball is alive. It is the same as a swing-and-miss. If the ball is not caught, it is a foul ball. If the nicked pitch first hits the catcher somewhere other than the hand or glove, it is not a foul-tip, it is a foul ball.
When a Batter Should Not be Awarded First Base
It may seem obvious when a batter is hit by a pitch and awarded first base, but there are some cases where a base may not be awarded. 1) If the ball touches the batter as the batter swings at the ball. 2) The ball touches the batter in the strike zone. 3) If the batter makes no attempt to get out of the way of the ball. 4) If the ball hits the bat in the act of swinging and then touches the batter.
When a Batter Should be Awarded First Base
In addition to a batter being hit out of the strike zone while attempting to get out of the way, there are a couple of misconceptions about being hit by the pitch where people will think the batter should not be awarded first and in fact they should be. 1) The hand is not part of the bat. 2) A pitched ball that hits the batter after bouncing is not a dead ball. 3) A pitched ball that touches the players clothing but not the player. 4) A pitched ball hits a batter and then hits the bat.
Fielder's Balk - There is none!!! Rule 4.03 states the following:
4.03 - When the ball is put in play at the start of, or during a game, all fielders other than the catcher shall be on fair territory.
(a) The catcher shall station himself directly back of the plate. He may leave his position at any time to catch a pitch or make a play except that when the batter is being given an intentional base on balls, the catcher must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher's box until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. PENALTY: Balk.
A balk is the penalty for 4.03(a), not 4.03 in general.
When the umpire sees such a infraction, he/she should instruct the player of the infraction to move into fair territory.
Two Runners Occupying a Base - Two runners may not occupy a base, but if, while the ball is alive, two runners are touching a base, the following runner shall be out when tagged. The preceding runner is entitled to the base. See Rule 7.03 for further details.
If you have additional questions, please send an email to johnryan55@att.net.