ESA - Some Interesting Rules to help protect the pitcher

[Larks]

There is a group thats trying to get a new assoc off the ground. I dont think thats the answer around here BUT....check out these rule tidbits

Sec. 38 PITCHERS LANE: The Pitchers Lane is a virtual lane that extends from the
Pitcher’s plate but does not exceed second base. The width of the entire Pitchers Lane is
the exact width and includes the Pitchers Box. (See Field Diagram)
NOTE: IF A BATTED BALL TRAVELS INTO THE PITCHERS LANE ON A LINE-DRIVE
BELOW THE STANDING HEIGHT OF THE PITCHER WHILE THE PICHER OCCUPIES
THE PITCHER’S LANE, OR ON A ONE-HOP THAT HIT’S THE PITCHER’S PLATE OR
BEYOND WILL RESULT IN A DEAD BALL OUT. IN ADDITION ALL BASERUNNERS
MUST RETURN TO THE BASE THEY WERE ON PRIOR TO THE INFRACTION.


HITTING THE PITCHER: If at any time a batted ball strikes a pitcher the umpire
is permitted to seize the bat from the batter until the severity of the infraction is
determined. If the pitcher requires on-site medical attention and is immediately
taken for medical treatment, the bat used during the infraction will be submitted
for testing to it’s respective manufacturer. During this time the batter will be
given a ESA Sports incident form and will receive his bat when it is deemed
legal by the manufacturer. If the bat is not deemed legal by the manufacturer it
will not be returned to the player and the appropriate course of action will be
taken in accordance to the altered bat rule (see rule 3). If the bat meets the
manufacturer’s standards the bat will be returned to the owner and the owner
will also be awarded one free tournament for the year for cooperating with ESA

Home Runs
E = 3
D = 6
C = 10
B = 12
A & above = 15


More
http://www.esasoftball.com/ESARules2008.pdf

[KOSTOFF2]

There is a group thats trying to get a new assoc off the ground. I dont think thats the answer around here BUT....check out these rule tidbits

Sec. 38 PITCHERS LANE: The Pitchers Lane is a virtual lane that extends from the
Pitcher’s plate but does not exceed second base. The width of the entire Pitchers Lane is
the exact width and includes the Pitchers Box. (See Field Diagram)
NOTE: IF A BATTED BALL TRAVELS INTO THE PITCHERS LANE ON A LINE-DRIVE
BELOW THE STANDING HEIGHT OF THE PITCHER WHILE THE PICHER OCCUPIES
THE PITCHER’S LANE, OR ON A ONE-HOP THAT HIT’S THE PITCHER’S PLATE OR
BEYOND WILL RESULT IN A DEAD BALL OUT. IN ADDITION ALL BASERUNNERS
MUST RETURN TO THE BASE THEY WERE ON PRIOR TO THE INFRACTION.


HITTING THE PITCHER: If at any time a batted ball strikes a pitcher the umpire
is permitted to seize the bat from the batter until the severity of the infraction is
determined. If the pitcher requires on-site medical attention and is immediately
taken for medical treatment, the bat used during the infraction will be submitted
for testing to it’s respective manufacturer. During this time the batter will be
given a ESA Sports incident form and will receive his bat when it is deemed
legal by the manufacturer. If the bat is not deemed legal by the manufacturer it
will not be returned to the player and the appropriate course of action will be
taken in accordance to the altered bat rule (see rule 3). If the bat meets the
manufacturer’s standards the bat will be returned to the owner and the owner
will also be awarded one free tournament for the year for cooperating with ESA

Home Runs
E = 3
D = 6
C = 10
B = 12
A & above = 15


More
http://www.esasoftball.com/ESARules2008.pdf

I agree with raising the HR rules, because we all know once you are out of homeruns where people are trying to go to get a hit...it might not be by the pitcher, but it is usually on one side or the other of 2B and could easily hit the pitcher. I honestly think that this arguement could go on forever...but a line drive up the middle is an automatic out? I think this is going a little overboard. I am all for protecting a pitcher, I mean I just bought our pitcher a $77 dollar mask to protect him, but again this is part of the game and the middle will be hit. What I don't understand is when a guy hits a line-drive up the middle and the pitcher catches it and doubles somebody off 1st of 2nd...there is no complaining. I also think everytime a pitcher gets hit in the arm or leg (head is a different story) to send a bat away to get checked is a little overboard. People will not have their bats for 2-3 months out of a season by the time it is returned. I really think 3 things need to happen.

1. PITCHERS MUST WEAR A HELMET OF MASK TO PROTECT THEIR FACE

2. PARKS NEED TO SUPPLY THE BALLS

3. HOMERUN LIMITS MUST GO UP.

[owens25]

i do not like that rule...it is smart but it takes away from palying a five man and also less double plays would be made. i think that a mask should be regulated for pitchers.... i have a team mate i use to play with who pitches and wears a mask and it does not take away from him seeing anything on the field.....also it might save some teeth...

[BT44]

I know that this would probably never fly, but I would like to hear what people think of it. I was talking with someone over the weekend, that person escapes me at the moment, but what about playing a five man infield AND adding a fourth outfielder as well?

It would certainly make that middle shot look less appealing, and it doesn't involve adding anything "artificial" to the game. I think it would turn hitting back into a real skill.

[Dirty]

then what are you supposed to do....no gaps and no middle...guess that homerun limit will have to go up. you better be hittin seeds to get a basehit with 11 men on the field i dont see it happening

[bellamy]

I think that idea is a little too far fetched in my opinion. My whole opinion on this whole situation is that i do think that the dudleys do need to be banned but whats going to happen when a pitcher gets hit with a spirit or a worth? Bottom line is if softball is being played players are going to hit middle. I really think it should be a mandatory rule to wear a mask when pitching. That would be the only step i can see taking place. By coming on here and discussing not using a ball is understandable but whats going to happen in worlds or any out of town tourney when other teams use dudleys? I really think there is no way of stopping hitting the middle and there never will be. Frankie being hit wasnt the first time a pitcher has gotten hurt and wont be the last. I think it was an eye opener on softball in cincy on how dangerous the sport can be. Like i said b4 every pitch should wear a mask but as for some of these extreme measures I dont see them working out on a national standpoint.

[slamit93]

then what are you supposed to do....no gaps and no middle...guess that homerun limit will have to go up. you better be hittin seeds to get a basehit with 11 men on the field i dont see it happening

there would be more gaps and more holes... just not quite as big

[Pomp]

It is something that I always like when I pitch, and that is that dark "mesh" material behind the backstop. It sounds minor, but I think that it helps. This Sat against JLC we could not see the ball coming out from the backstop. For example: at Riverstar you have the Bar that sits behind all of the backstops; I can never see a ball at Riverstar. At Eggleston you have the seats, trees, playground, basketball court, ect (jk) behind the backstop. And the top field is the worst because you have all of the other fields lights in you eyes. I'm not saying cover the whole backstop just maybe 7-10 ft. I love playing in Columbus, IN all the fields have it up there. Just a thought.

[BT44]

It is something that I always like when I pitch, and that is that dark "mesh" material behind the backstop. It sounds minor, but I think that it helps. This Sat against JLC we could not see the ball coming out from the backstop. For example: at Riverstar you have the Bar that sits behind all of the backstops; I can never see a ball at Riverstar. At Eggleston you have the seats, trees, playground, basketball court, ect (jk) behind the backstop. And the top field is the worst because you have all of the other fields lights in you eyes. I'm not saying cover the whole backstop just maybe 7-10 ft. I love playing in Columbus, IN all the fields have it up there. Just a thought.

That's a great idea , Pomp.It would be like a "batters eye" for the Pitcher. I think Rumpke has(had) it, but that's about it.I've even had some of our Pitchers in the past, if we were wearing white shirts, make me put on a dark one on for this very reason. They said they had a hard time picking up the ball.

[iplayeball]

I liek the ECS rules....I also think an easier way to make this game safer is to just up teh HR rules.....and I mena up them by a significiant margin....at least guys will be swinging for something other than the middle hole......what can it hurt if we are supplying our own balls? The parks are out nothing.

[phatneff]

That's a great idea , Pomp.It would be like a "batters eye" for the Pitcher. I think Rumpke has(had) it, but that's about it.I've even had some of our Pitchers in the past, if we were wearing white shirts, make me put on a dark one on for this very reason. They said they had a hard time picking up the ball.

I agree 1000%!! Playing third base, I have a hard time picking up the balls coming off the bat a lot of times, too. I would like to see it covering the whole backstop because that would help with shading the lights from the other fields. And with many teams having white jerseys anymore, those players standing behind the backstop watching the games can cause problems seeing the white balls.

I've thought about wearing a mask, too. If you recognize, I play even with the bag most of the time, and if someone pulls one, that can be just as hot coming to me as it would be getting hit to the pitcher.

[doublezero]

The foul ball rule,in order to speed the game up. Also causes the middle to get beat.The guys who can't control the bat just swing to try and keep it in play

[owens25]

i agree with double zero in the tournaments that we play and you do not get a free foul it makes guys just try to keep it in play by beating the middle so they do not foul out....thats why they should stop that rule as well...also add more home runs whats it hurt...