NCASAUmp from post above at 10:41 yesterday:
I've reached out to my higher-ups to get clarification. However, I'm also a student of the game, and did some digging around. I found this play from the April 2017 Clarifications and Plays, linked here:
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/News/2017/April/06/April-Plays-and-Clarifications
Play (Fast Pitch): R1 on 3B, R2 on 2B and R3 on 1B and two outs B6 hits an over the fence home run. In the act of running the bases B6 passes R3 in a) after R1 and R2 had touched home plate and in b) before R2 touches home plate. The plate umpire should rule:
Ruling: In a) when B6 passes R3 they would be called out and two runs would score since R1 and R2 had scored prior to the third out. In b) when B6 passes R3, they would be called out and since this is the third out the only run that would count would be R1. Rule 8, Section 7D and Rule 5, Section 5B
So while this situation differs in the sense that it's a home run in fast pitch as opposed to a two-base award,
the ruling should be the same - batter-runner is out, only one run scores.
Please pass that along to the people you spoke with.
Response: If this ruling applied to slow pitch, the play would not have a designation of (Fast Pitch), which means this particular ruling or clarification only applies to Fast Pitch.
In your final sentence of analysis, also highlighted,
the ruling should be the same - I also disagree as this is interpreting a written rule to fit your narrative for two reasons, home run vs ground rule double are different scenarios, fast pitch vs slow pitch are different in numerous rule/play requirements.
NCASAUmp posted today at 6:08 AM in response to Sully's comment which is below, with NCASAUmp comment below it.
Sully said:
↑
I'm not really arguing with you. Once we started talking about this scenario I kind of rabbit holed down the what-if line and wondered what happens if the ball is still a live ball and then rolls under the fence out of play but the batter-runner passes the previous runner before it goes under. Then it comes down to a timing play I guess. The OP doesn't actually say the ground rule double happened before the rest. He listed it but never specifically said that was the order. Either way, listing the names of the umpires that gave you those rulings helps sometimes because some of these guys work state and national level events and may know some of these guys to have this discussion directly with or ask for a casebook play.
If you say three state UIC's gave you the same ruling, it should be the correct ruling.
NCASAUmp - The clarification I just posted comes from the National office in Oklahoma City. Can’t get any higher than that.
One run scores, change ‘em up.
RESPONSE: Again, quoting a clarification and/or ruling for (fast pitch).
You may converse with the three state officials that i conferenced with from Georgia, N Carolina, and Virginia, they are listed in
The Official Rules of Softball - Umpire Edition USA/ASA under Umpire-in-chief by state. They gladly accepted my text message to discuss the USA/ASA slow pitch rule book.