Softball Terminologies

RULE 1. DEFINITIONS.

ALTERED BAT.

A bat is altered when the physical structure of a legal bat has been changed. Examples of altering a bat are: replacing the handle of a metal bat with a wooden or other type handle, inserting material inside the bat, applying excessive tape (more than two layers) to the bat grip, or painting a bat at the top or bottom for other than identification purposes. Replacing the grip with another legal grip is not considered altering the bat. A "flare" or "cone" grip attached to the bat is considered an altered bat.

Engraved “ID” marking on the knob end only of a metal bat is not considered an altered bat. Engraved “ID” marking on the barrel end of a metal bat is considered an altered bat. Laser marking for “ID” purposes anywhere on the bat is not considered an altered bat.

APPEAL PLAY.

A live or dead ball appeal is a play or situation on which an umpire cannot make a decision unless requested by a manager, coach or player of the non-offending team. A coach or manager may only make a dead ball appeal and only after stepping onto the playing field.

If made by a fielder, the fielder must be in the infield when making the appeal. The appeal may not be made after any one of the following has occurred.

a. A legal pitch has been thrown or an illegal pitch has been called.

EXCEPTION:

1. An appeal for the use of an Illegal Substitute, Illegal Re-entry, a Replacement Player or Withdrawn Player (either leaving or returning to the line-up under the Replacement Player Rule) and not reporting to the umpire can be made anytime while such player is still in the game.

2. An appeal for runners switching positions on the bases they occupied may be made anytime until all such runners are in the dugout or the half inning is over.

b. The pitcher and all defensive players have left fair territory; or

c. The umpires have left the field of play following the last play of the game.

These are the types of appeals:

a. Missing a base...