BILL PICKS THE WINNERS by Bill Owens

I thought about this for quite some time before finally giving in and doing the dirty deed off picking this year's top finalists. Oh, wait, are you looking in expecting to see which teams I believe have the best chance to win this year's NCT. Well, sorry to say, that's not what this write-up will cover. Nope. I'm talking rules, and FP's rulebook to be exact. Each year, Bruce and I spend countless hours discussing rules, game situations, scenarios, possible loop holes, scams, flaws, whatever you can think of when it comes to the FP rulebook. This year was no different. We both believe the rulebook to be a very solid, undestandable document, easy to read and follow, but for some reason each year players just don't seem to take the time to understand or even abide by the rules of play. And in the end it will cost a team a game or even a shot at the coveted NCT Title. Here is my list of rules most frequently misunderstood, misinterpreted, overlooked, or just plain 'ol ignored.

1. The Double Play.
It's a fairly simple idea. Cleanly field a ground ball flip it to a second fielder (which can include the pitcher) standing inside the double play triangle (this player must have at least one foot in the triangle). The second fielder must catch the ball cleanly, and then, within three seconds and using only one step must throw the ball into the backstop or any part of the strike zone in the air to record the DP.

A variation of the DP is the unassisted double play. This occurs when a fielder cleanly fields a ground ball within the double play triangle and then using only one step throws the ball within three seconds into the backstop or any part of the strike zone in the air to record the DP.

Key notes to the double play- all players must be at double play depth in order to turn two. This means all fielders must be inside the Infield Hitline at the time the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. Also, the first runner of the double play will be out when the infielder at the DPT cleanly catches the ball. This means regardless of the throw to the backstop being successful.

Double Play runner advancement might be tough for some to understand since we suffered through the dark ages for so long before a real double play rule was implemented. Advancement is simple and goes like this
a) Bases Loaded- Home to First, all runners advance one base (Runners now on second and third base)
b) Runners at First and Second- outs recorded at first and second, all runners advance one base. (Runner now on third base)
c) Runner at First Base- outs recorded at first and second (no runners left on base)
d) Runners at First and Third- outs recorded at first and second, (runner at third scores)
Always remember that all runners are advancing one base when a double play is attempted.
Read the RULE for much more on the DP.

2. The Sacrafice Fly - most guys know how this works. Once the ball has been hit into the air anywhere (Fair or Foul) anyone on the offensive team may call TAG while the ball is still in the air to send the runner home. But did you know the Sacrafice Fly rule can also be used when a runner is at second base? It's true and works exactly the same way as a runner being on third base. If runners are on second and third base, and the Sacrafice is played both runners will advance.

3. The Check Swing - is always and ONLY the call of the pitcher. Too many times we see infielders and outfielders making the call in error. But did you know that a ball hitting the batter's hand(s) while on the bat is not a foul ball unless he swings at the pitch? Its true. The hand's of the batter are considered part of the bat ONLY if the batter is swinging.

4. A Clean Hit - occurs when there are two outs and a ball breaks the plane of the infield hit line regardless of being on the ground or in the air. So if a batter drives the ball deep to left and an outfielder moves under the fly to make the catch but boots it, then it is still ruled a clean hit.

5. The Fair Play Line - if the ball is within its boundaries its a foul ball. This means a pop-up in the infield that back spins into the triangle can not be fielded as a groundball out. IT'S FOUL!

6. The Wild Pitch - Any time a wild pitch occurs all baserunners will advance one base, even on ball four. The only runner that doesn't advance an extra base is the batter; he is only awarded first base for the base on balls.

7. Warm Up Pitches - By giving a reliever as many warm-ups as he wants the opposing team is taking away any advantage they earned by getting the starter out of the game. The pitcher is allowed 10 warm-ups to start the game and only seven to start each inning. If the ball is damaged and removed from the game the pitcher will receive only three warm-ups total to find a new ball. Could be the difference between winning and losing. Following this rule will also cut down on time wasted.

8. Roster - A team is only allowed to roster five players per tournament. This means a max of five can attend and play in any single tournament. And as always, to be eligible for the NCT a player must have played in at least two sanctioned FP tournaments. Any team contemplating bringing 6 or 7 players to the big dance....well, don't do it.

9. Forfeiting - any team choosing to not play a game or playing less than the required number of innings will be considered forfeiting its game. When a forfeit occurs the team will be tossed from the tournament and lose all earnings. Here is the rule: Forfeiting games is not allowed; teams must play all of their scheduled games. Any forfeiture may result in the team being disqualified from the tournament. Any team planning to deliberately alter the outcome of a game will be in violation of this rule. Keep it on the up and up.

10. Pitcher Wind-Up - A pitcher must start his wind-up from the pitching rubber. The pitcher must have at least one (1) foot touching the rubber when he releases the ball. If a ball is pitched in violation of this rule, the pitch will be ruled a "no pitch". Repeated violations may result in the pitcher being removed from the pitcher's position for the remainder of the game. I see a lot of players in violation of this rule and some unfortunately deliberately taking advantage of the situation. Old habits are hard to break but keep in mind that we will be looking for this rule infraction.

Before you depart for the NCT please take some time and read the rules of the game. Also, print a copy of the rulebook and bring it with you so that it can be easily referenced when needed. Avoid controversy by knowing the rules. Or better yet, save yourself from an embarassing moment. Knowledge is power and in FP could mean the difference between victory or defeat

See you in Texas!