Rule of the Week - The Ryan Rule

So by popular demand at today's drink-up, we're adding a new feature to this here blog... the Rule of the Week. Hopefully it'll highlight a rule that came in to play during that week's game. Or it might just be a completely arcane rule. Who knows. And since we all love haikus, the rule will first be stated in haiku form, followed by bullet-point details, since I love bullet points.

I would like to propose that those rules deemed to be "enforceable" get added to the list of violations that result in owing the team a pitcher, the others being a strikeout and base running errors. Can I get a second? Thank you. All in favor? Motion carries.

Without further ado, I present "The Ryan Rule." I realizing this is sort of like naming a disease after the person who discovered it, but whatever.

The Ryan Rule

When catching flyballs
Running off the field of play
Advances runners

• Recap: Ryan caught a pop-fly and his momentum carried him out of the area designated in play; the runners on first and second advanced.
• Explanation: This is the result of 7.04(c) - "If the fielder or catcher, after having made a legal catch, should fall into a stand or among spectators or into the dugout after making a legal catch, or fall while in the dugout after making a legal catch, the ball is dead and runners advance one base without liability to be put out."
• Enforceable: No. This seems a bit much to enforce it in D league softball.

Stay tuned for the regular recap, sometime later this week...