A Quarry HR rule was instituted this off-season. It soon became clear to me the majority of league members were not in favor of it. The HR rule was rescinded. In the process, however, a men's league all-star cap was born. Also in the process, the HR rule at Hatfield was discussed. Not that it is news to me, but a lot of league members don't like it. They want to see a HR over the limit at Hatfield be a base hit and not an out. Well, with Hatfield fences at 260', I can't in good conscience award a base hit for a can o' corn pop-up that wouldn't make it to the Quarry warning track.
A proposal was introduced for a modification to the HR rule at Hatfield. The proposal is to make an over-the-limit HR at Hatfield a strike instead of an out. Of course, if you do it with 2 strikes it would become a strike out. Each team would get 3 over the fence, over-the-limit strikes per game (reprieves). Belting one out beyond the HR limit of 3 and beyond the reprieve limit of 3 would then result in an automatic out.
Based on the ASA rule as listed below, the proposed Hatfield HR rule modification will change from 3 over-the-limit strikes per game (reprieves) to 1. It will be the team manager's choice as to if/when to exercise the lone HR reprieve.
I, along with numerous ASA representatives, feel 3 is excessive. Softball America is a Class E/Rec/Class D league with a handful of Class C ball players here and there. In reality we should have a HR limit of not more than 2 without any of that 1-up jazz. We will keep the 3 and 1-up HR limit; however, the proposed modification now on the table is to add 1 over-the fence reprieve instead of the originally proposed 3. This amended proposal will be voted upon at the upcoming manager meeting.
ASA Rule 5 Section 8 - Home Run Rule
Limit of over-the-fence homeruns
Class A and Coed Open: 8
Industrial and Men's Class B: 6
Masters 35, 40, and 45-over, Class C Coed, Men's and Women's Class C: 4
Men's Class D, Class C Coed, and Women's Class D: 2
Class E Rec: 0
EFFECT: For any in excess, the ball is dead, the batter is out, and no runners can advance. In Class E/Rec an over-the-fence HR will also end the half inning.
NOTE:
a. Any fair fly ball touched by a defensive player that clears or has cleared the fence in fair territory, should be declared a four base award and shall not be included in the total of over-the-fence homeruns.
b. A homerun will be charged for any ball hit over the fence whether runs score or not.
c. Both male and female home runs count toward the coed limit
A proposal was introduced for a modification to the HR rule at Hatfield. The proposal is to make an over-the-limit HR at Hatfield a strike instead of an out. Of course, if you do it with 2 strikes it would become a strike out. Each team would get 3 over the fence, over-the-limit strikes per game (reprieves). Belting one out beyond the HR limit of 3 and beyond the reprieve limit of 3 would then result in an automatic out.
Based on the ASA rule as listed below, the proposed Hatfield HR rule modification will change from 3 over-the-limit strikes per game (reprieves) to 1. It will be the team manager's choice as to if/when to exercise the lone HR reprieve.
I, along with numerous ASA representatives, feel 3 is excessive. Softball America is a Class E/Rec/Class D league with a handful of Class C ball players here and there. In reality we should have a HR limit of not more than 2 without any of that 1-up jazz. We will keep the 3 and 1-up HR limit; however, the proposed modification now on the table is to add 1 over-the fence reprieve instead of the originally proposed 3. This amended proposal will be voted upon at the upcoming manager meeting.
ASA Rule 5 Section 8 - Home Run Rule
Limit of over-the-fence homeruns
Class A and Coed Open: 8
Industrial and Men's Class B: 6
Masters 35, 40, and 45-over, Class C Coed, Men's and Women's Class C: 4
Men's Class D, Class C Coed, and Women's Class D: 2
Class E Rec: 0
EFFECT: For any in excess, the ball is dead, the batter is out, and no runners can advance. In Class E/Rec an over-the-fence HR will also end the half inning.
NOTE:
a. Any fair fly ball touched by a defensive player that clears or has cleared the fence in fair territory, should be declared a four base award and shall not be included in the total of over-the-fence homeruns.
b. A homerun will be charged for any ball hit over the fence whether runs score or not.
c. Both male and female home runs count toward the coed limit
