1. Tarp in Foul Territory (Fast Pitch Softball)
Can be down Left Field Foul Line
Can be down Right Field Foul Line
Ideally, the tarp is kept outside the fence and is not on the playing field.
Most softball facilities need to have their tarp inside the playing field along either Left Field or Right Field fences. The logic of this is that if a sudden downpour is forecast, the team of individuals available and strong enough to move the tarp, can rapidly roll the tarp and unroll the tarp onto or off the infield area so that there is less delay in preparing and maintaining the infield.
Likewise, there is a definite skill and drill that needs to be taught and shared with everyone involved in this project - in order to keep the tarp in a tight roll. The tightness of the rolled tarp is an added and necessary safety provision.
Many successful softball programs play on a softball facility that has a tarp. Softball facilities that have tarps or field surfaces that provide a quality field with proper drains for the outfield and a well maintained infield provide minimum delays from rain, hail and even snow in the spring season (in the midwest). This allows schools to have maximum time on the field.
This type of facility enables the coaches the preparation necessary to allow players a better chance to develop and maximize their individual skills and to strive to a high standard of excellence as a team.

2. 3B Umpire = Purple Lines 1B Umpire = Red Lines HP Umpire = Blue Lines
Tarp in Foul Territory
Batted ball contacting tarp may be “fair” or “foul”
Players may reach across it, lean on it, but
Player may NEVER contact tarp with foot or step on it
When walking the softball facility before the game, the Umpire Team will note situations on and around the softball field that will need to be addressed in the pre-game with Head Coaches.
WHEN REVIEWING LOCAL GROUND RULES: Remember to start with the on-deck circle by 3B, review dugout with gates closed, pitching coaches and their “bucket seats” totally inside the dugout, gates closed includes statement (players do NOT remove helmets until behind closed gates – except after 3rd out when both teams are changing from offense to defense). Next go down foul territory beyond the infield and note if there is a DMA (Designated Media Area) which must be in place prior to the start of the game if it is to be used or any media is to be allowed on the field during the game. There is often a double gate that allows field maintenance equipment for dragging the infield – if there is a gap that a live ball could go under make a note of this and point it out in the Plate Umpire’s pre-game conference. If there is a tarp along the fence explain the essential guidelines and procedures for Head Coach to review with players. Proceed around the fenced-in area for any locations for possibly lodged softballs or openings in the fence… players need to signal with both arms raised overhead that ball is lodged. Clarify that if she reaches for the ball it is a live ball and players may advance as many bases as they choose. Summary: Arms and Hands must go up – don’t reach. This applies to the tarp as well as fences. Finish with the 1B dugout and 1B on-deck circle.
If there are no fences, have an imaginary line to connect playing area, identify chalk line (if one is in place), and always state:
“Now we have an enclosed ball park with a book rule to cover anything that may occur in today’s game.”
3B Umpire = Purple Lines 1B Umpire = Red Lines HP Umpire = Blue Lines

3. 3B Umpire = Purple Lines 1B Umpire = Red Lines HP Umpire = Blue Lines
Three-Person Umpire System:
If there is no “Cap” on Tarp / Open Cylinder…
Umpire immediately signals, “Dead Ball”
Player(s) raise both arms up (same signal as batted ball that is trapped or goes under fence)
In the Two-Person Umpire System, it is the Plate Umpire’s primary responsibility to make the call of “Dead Ball” if a batted ball (fair or foul) bounces in or rolls into the open cylinder of the tarp. In the Three-Person Umpire System, the 3B Umpire or Plate Umpire will have the primary responsibility to make the call of “Dead Ball” if a batted ball (fair or foul) bounces in, rolls into or through the open cylinder of the tarp.
If a foul ball, Plate Umpire’s signal and call is “Dead Ball.”
Runner(s) return to base occupied at time of pitch. A foul ball (that lodged in tarp / that rolls into or through open cylinder) is a strike added to the batter’s count. If batter already has two strikes (as in Fast Pitch), the count remains two strikes and batter has not completed her turn at bat.
If a live and fair batted ball:
Umpire will signal and verbally call, “Dead Ball” as soon as batted fair ball goes into or through the tarp.
Fielder(s) DO NOT REACH INTO TARP AREA. Fielder(s) raise both arms above their head signaling that they saw the ball lodge or go behind the tarp. At completion of play, Base Umpire will go out to tarp area and verify that ball is lodged. Runner(s) will be awarded the two bases that will be determined by umpire’s judgment of where runner(s) were at time fair batted ball became lodged.
If Base Umpire determines that ball was NOT lodged, then runners remain at base(s) they were at when all play was completed. (That would usually mean that all runners didn’t stop until they reached home plate and scored.)
3B Umpire = Purple Lines 1B Umpire = Red Lines HP Umpire = Blue Lines

4. Base Umpire Signal = “Dead Ball” 2 Base Award
Tarp in Foul Territory
Base Umpire Signal = “Dead Ball” 2 Base Award
If batted ball lodges behind tarp…
Player(s) should raise both arms above head the same as she would do if batted ball lodges under fence
If she reaches in for batted ball without signaling trapped ball, it is a live ball – play goes to completion
3B Umpire = Purple Lines 1B Umpire = Red Lines
HP Umpire = Blue Lines

5. If batted fair ball lodges behind cylinder, and player(s) raised both arms…
Umpires will let play go to completion and then send a Base Umpire out to verify ball is lodged.
If lodged, player(s) returned to where they should be with 2 Base Award.
Tarp in Foul Territory
3B Umpire = Purple Lines 1B Umpire = Red Lines
HP Umpire = Blue Lines

6. 3B Umpire = Purple Lines 1B Umpire = Red Lines HP Umpire = Blue Lines
Tarp in Foul Territory
Batted Fair Ball Remains Alive:
If it bounces off of tarp
If it bounces off capped opening of tarp
If batted foul ball bounces off the tarp and out of the field of play: It is a “Dead Ball.” Foul ball is a batted ball that is first touched by player or object in foul territory. Remember: It is the location of the ball (when touched) that determines fair or foul.
No base award would result. Tarp, Tree branch, Power Line, or Fence are examples of objects in foul territory that when contacted result in a Dead Ball that was first touched in foul territory.
If batted fair ball bounces off the tarp, a player, a player’s glove and out of the field of play (without touching the ground), a two base award will be awarded based on umpire judgment of runner(s) location when fair batted ball went out of the field of play. The first call will be “Dead Ball” signaled and verbally called by Umpire whose primary responsibility requires that he/she makes the call; then the two base award is made. Umpire directs runner(s) to assigned base.
To make sure about the call and base award, two situations can occur in a game:
1) If Umpire who made initial call has any doubt, he/she can have a brief conference to concur where runner(s) were when ball went out of play. It is important that Umpires make sure they get the call right – as well as the correct base award.
2) Sometimes a Coach will request “Time” after the play and respectfully ask the Umpire [who initially awarded the base(s) and made the call] to confer with other Umpire(s). Sometimes a Head Coach’s angle and the Umpires’ angles are not the same. Sometimes a unique play takes a team of Umpires to make sure everything was correctly awarded.
If a fair batted ball fielded by a player is thrown out of the playing field or the errant throw bounces off a fence or tarp and subsequently goes out of the playing area, a “Dead Ball” is verbally called and signaled. Umpire will then look to see where runner(s) are located at the time the ball goes out of play. Based on this judgment, the two base award will be made.
3B Umpire = Purple Lines 1B Umpire = Red Lines HP Umpire = Blue Lines