A few weeks ago one of my students and her dad came to me with a question about the pitching rules. She had been called for an illegal pitch because she stepped on the pitching rubber with her hands together.

I confirmed that that was a rule and we worked on making sure she broke that habit (she never really did it during lessons). But then they also said their team coach told them something else that, as Tom Cruise says in A Few Good Men, just ain’t true. Even though a lot of people seem to think it is

That got me to thinking about some of the other fastpitch softball “rules” myths people seem to believe and spout off about at every opportunity. And since rules posts are pretty popular here on Life in the Fastpitch Lane I thought it was time to address some of those myths. So…

Myth #1: You Have to Present the Ball

This was the question that sparked this post. My pitcher was told you have to show the ball to the hitter before bringing your hands together. In other words, hold it in your pitching hand when you step on the pitcher’s plate (rubber in common terms).

That is completely false. The rules state that you must have the hands separated when you step on the pitcher’s plate. But they also state the ball can be in EITHER hand.

Which means it can be in your glove when you step on, and you can then reach your pitching hand into the glove to grab the ball.

(I would quote the rule with the number but I don’t happen to have a current USA Softball rulebook. If any of you have it feel free to add it in the comments.)

It isn’t just coaches and parents who don’t understand or know this rule, by the way. I have witnessed and heard about umpires not understanding it either, and insisting the pitcher has to “present the ball.”

If you find yourself in that situation, you can decide whether it’s worth arguing. But it’s good to know the truth nonetheless.

Myth #2: The Hands Are Part of the Bat

This one comes up in a hit by pitch (HBP) situation when the ball comes inside and hits the batter’s hand while she is holding the bat.

The umpire will award the batter first base, and immediately the opposing coach will come out of the dugout claiming or screaming she shouldn’t get a base because the hands are considered part of the bat.

There is an easy test for this one. Have the batter hold the bat straight out in front of her with her hands, and then let go. If the hands hit the ground with the bat, they are part of the bat.

Otherwise they are not, and batter gets the base.

Myth #3: The Tie Goes to the Runner

This one is a baserunning situation related to a force out, although some try to apply it to tag plays too.

Basically, the ball and runner arrive at the base at what appears to be the same time (although rarely is that true). If the umpire calls the runner out, the offensive coach will claim she should be safe because the tie goes to the runner.

While that is a very common belief, again there is no such rule. It is entirely up to the umpire’s judgment as to whether the ball beat the runner to the base or runner beat the ball to the fielder’s glove.

In the rare case where both arrive at exactly the same time, which would be a statistical anomaly of the highest order, it is still up to the umpire’s judgment as to whether the runner is safe or out.

You can yell and scream all you want about it but the rules won’t help you out. The umpire’s call is the final word.

Myth #4: If a Fielder in Fair Territory Touches a Ball in Foul Territory It’s a Fair Ball

I actually heard this one being argued by a parent at a high school game about a line drive hit down the third base line.

The ball was over foul territory when it was touched, but the fielder was in fair territory. He was trying to argue that the ball should be fair.

The reality, however, is that fair or foul has nothing to do with the fielder’s position. It’s where the ball is when it hits the ground or is touched by a player. So even if the ball is deflected back into fair territory it is considered a foul ball because of where it was when it was deflected.

Myth #5: A Runner Tagging Up Can’t Leave the Base Until the Ball Is Caught

This is another one that is often misunderstood by the folks along the sidelines, and sometimes in the dugouts too.

A typical situation will have a runner on third with fewer than two outs. A fly ball is hit to the outfield and the runner on third will tag up, i.e., come back to the base and stand with her foot on it.

When the outfielder catches the ball cleanly the runner on third will take off for home. All good so far.

But what if the outfielder bobbles the ball instead of catching it cleanly? Some will argue that the runner can’t leave the base until the ball is secured. But they would be wrong.

The runner is free to leave the base as soon as the outfielder TOUCHES it. This rule is in place to prevent a skilled outfielder from juggling the ball all the way back to the infield before catching to hold the runner at third.

It makes sense when you think about it that way. So coaches, teach your outfielders to catch the ball cleanly if you want a shot at the runner on third.

Myth #6: No Hit By Pitch If the Ball Bounces First

This one may actually be true in some rec leagues, but overall it doesn’t matter if the ball hits the ground before it hits the batter. If a pitched ball hits the batter she is awarded first base.

Myth #7: A Pitcher Can Only Hit X Batters Before She Has to Come Out

Again, this may be true in some rec or other local leagues. But for high school, college, and travel ball the pitcher can hit as many batters as her coach will allow her to.

This one should be self-regulating. Every HBP is another baserunner who has a chance to score.

Hit four in an inning and that’s a free run for the opposition. And if you hit four, who’s to say you won’t hit six, or eight? That’s a lot of free runs to give up.

The smart move if a pitcher is having that much control trouble is to get her out of there and try someone else. But there’s nothing in the rules that requires it.

That’s a Wrap

So there you have it – seven fastpitch softball myths that some/many (depending on the myth) think are true but really aren’t.

So what did I miss? Are there others you’ve seen or heard that drive you nuts? Leave your thoughts like therapy in the comments.

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