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Key Dates

October 1: PHBA Spring Ball Registration Opens

November 8: First Walk-Thru

December 2: Second Walk-Thru

January 6, 2024: Evaluation Day for New Players

February 3, 2024: First Day of Spring Ball Practice

March 2, 2024: Opening Day!

When Does 3=1? [Coach-Pitch]

Jan 30, 2022

The rule for the number of coach pitches allowed was changed in 2020. So how many pitches does a coach really get to throw during coach pitch? This one seems simple enough, and yet the math never seems to add up for most coaches and umpires. This has been the rule for softball for years,…

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2023 Season Rules!

Mar 8, 2022

The PHBA Baseball and Softball rules for the 2022 season have been updated and posted on the Rules page. Key changes to this season’s rules include but are not limited to: Softball American 2023 The Dropped Third Strike is no longer in effect for Softball American. Baseball Pioneer 2022 Removal of overthrow pitch rule –…

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The OVERTHROW Rule is Dead!

Jan 31, 2022

The Overthrow Rules 4.11 for both Pioneer divisions have been rescinded and revamped to encourage the kids (and especially the coaches) to make a play on the runners instead of simply getting the ball back to the pitcher to “kill the play.” In previous years, attempting plays and missing promoted the kids simply running the…

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Coach Pitch Interference

Feb 20, 2021

The rule for coach pitch interference was changed for baseball in 2020 and is now consistent with softball rules. The coach should make every effort (think Neo in the Matrix) to avoid contact with a hit or thrown ball. However, if the coach is hit by the ball, the ball is LIVE and play will…

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How does the Blue Crew stay sharp in the offseason?

Dec 18, 2022

The Umpire Leadership Team (ULT) continues to meet twice a month during the offseason in preparation for the upcoming season. The ULT examines existing PHBA rules along with changes to Major League Baseball and USA Softball rules which may impact PHBA. The team encourages Blue Crew discussion about the rules, reviewing current tough plays and…

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The “Foul Tip”

Jan 12, 2021

The foul tip is one those baseball rules that confuses the casual enjoyer of America’s pastime and infuriates baseball purists.  This article is designed to help you understand this simple yet often misunderstood rule. According to MLB.com,  “A foul tip is a batted ball that goes sharply and directly to the catcher’s hand or glove and…

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The “Look Back” Rule

Jan 25, 2021

The Look Back rule is specific to softball.  The rule, in the words of USA Softball (teamusa.org), “was supposed to stop players from dancing around between bases while the ball was in the Pitcher’s possession and control in the Pitcher’s Circle.”  The short, paraphrased version of this rule is this:  When the Pitcher A) Has…

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