Yes the trap always easier to see from beside versus straight on. We worked a 3 man game last night and my U1 had a solid call on a no trap by going down the like and getting a fabulous angle.
Ask The Ump?
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thePITman
Well-known member
During an at-bat, the batter steps one foot out of the box to receive signs from his base coach. While this is happening, the pitcher steps onto the rubber, receives his sign from the catcher, and comes to a set position. The batter then steps fully back into the box. The umpire keeps his hand raised until the batter is set and ready, at which point he lowers his hand and signals that the pitcher may proceed with the pitch.
The batting team’s coach raised an objection, arguing that the pitcher should not be allowed to come set while the batter is out of the box getting signs.
The umpire explained:
“The batter is permitted to step one foot out of the box to check signs after each pitch. As long as he’s not taking too long, I allow that as a courtesy. While the batter is doing that, the pitcher is allowed to get on the rubber, receive his sign, and come set. But I won’t allow a quick-pitch — I keep my hand up until the batter is fully in the box and ready, then I give the signal to pitch.”
The coach responded, “So does my batter have to call ‘time’ every time he wants to get a sign?”
The umpire responded, “They can if they want to, but it’s not required, and I am not required to grant it every time, either. I allow the batter to step one foot out after each pitch for signs, provided it’s not excessive. I’ll continue holding up the pitcher until the batter is ready.”
Was this handled properly by the umpire? I believe it was - and thought this was common knowledge - but I want to make sure. My team was in the field, so (1) I want to make sure my pitchers are within their rights to continue what they've been doing, and (2) since it was a home game and we have the umpires frequently, I want to make sure the umpires are handling this in the right way, as well. Note: There were no instances where our pitcher quick-pitched. Their coach just didn't like that we were coming set before they were fully in the box.
The batting team’s coach raised an objection, arguing that the pitcher should not be allowed to come set while the batter is out of the box getting signs.
The umpire explained:
“The batter is permitted to step one foot out of the box to check signs after each pitch. As long as he’s not taking too long, I allow that as a courtesy. While the batter is doing that, the pitcher is allowed to get on the rubber, receive his sign, and come set. But I won’t allow a quick-pitch — I keep my hand up until the batter is fully in the box and ready, then I give the signal to pitch.”
The coach responded, “So does my batter have to call ‘time’ every time he wants to get a sign?”
The umpire responded, “They can if they want to, but it’s not required, and I am not required to grant it every time, either. I allow the batter to step one foot out after each pitch for signs, provided it’s not excessive. I’ll continue holding up the pitcher until the batter is ready.”
Was this handled properly by the umpire? I believe it was - and thought this was common knowledge - but I want to make sure. My team was in the field, so (1) I want to make sure my pitchers are within their rights to continue what they've been doing, and (2) since it was a home game and we have the umpires frequently, I want to make sure the umpires are handling this in the right way, as well. Note: There were no instances where our pitcher quick-pitched. Their coach just didn't like that we were coming set before they were fully in the box.
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Yes, in HS baseball the hand up as described indicates "do not pitch." The ball is dead when the signal is up but the pitcher could perform this approach so long as they do not pitch until the umpire permits it. I will say I'd prefer they do not do this but it is legal.
Batter is required to keep one foot in the box, so this is proper.
The umpire should avoid granting time excessively, especially to the batter. I usually have my hand up and say "denied, I got you covered, he isnt pitching until we're ready" and that prevents it from delaying things.
I may grant time when needed, but try to avoid that to a batter (especially when getting reset after a foul ball or conference). Time should never be granted to a batter just stepping in the box. IMHO, Time is granted way too often. My personal favorite are the infielders who request time to throw it back to the pitcher. Nope, not happening.
Also the umpire is correct, time is a request and only happens when granted by the umpire.
CoachHoversten
Well-known member
This should never be allowed with runners on base. HPU holding his hand up is making the ball dead. Heaven forbid a pickoff occurs or runner takes off early and now we’re trying to kill action as outs are Being made or runners advance safely (all negated)
Not sure why, legal or not, HPU wouldn’t just tell f2 to hold off giving signals until batter is in the box, so much simpler.
If I’m umpiring I’m not holding my hand up with runners on, ever, if P starts delivery early, penalize accordingly .
Also, offensive coach prob got his argument from watching college and/or pro ball, where coming set before batter is alert is penalized. If your P has any aspirations of moving up, may as well get out of that habit.
Personally I see no benefit for P to do that, the only possible explanation is they want to P as quick as they can, which is either meant to deceive, is penalized , or forces HPU to have his hand up the entire game
thePITman
Well-known member
The base coach's argument was that, if his batters are required to ask for "time" to check for signs each time, it slows down the game immensely. The same would be said if the pitcher has to wait for the batter to be fully in the box and ready prior to getting his sign from the catcher. Our pitcher never attempted to quick pitch, but it seems lame and unnecessary for the pitcher to have to wait all that time to be able to get his sign and come set. Just my opinion. I'm glad to hear there's no rule against it, as long as the intent is not to deceive and/or quick pitch, which we do neither. Just a freshman pitcher trying to throw strikes. LoL
This is why the handup indicates do not pitch or anything else and then is a quick restart. I had this tonight occur a few times in an 8-4 game that took 1:39 to play.
Error.
Charge to the turf monster
thePITman
Well-known member
I'm pretty sure there's a rule about either a balk, illegal pitch, batter asking for extra time to get ready, or something, where the umpire can grant/call it, but if the batter swings at the pitch anyway, whatever the umpire called is nullified, and play goes on. What is the scenario I'm thinking of?
Or maybe I'm just thinking of slow pitch softball when the umpire calls "illegal pitch" when the height of the pitch wasn't within the legal range. Haha!
Or maybe I'm just thinking of slow pitch softball when the umpire calls "illegal pitch" when the height of the pitch wasn't within the legal range. Haha!
In high school rules a Balk or illegal pitch is always a dead ball. Anything that occurs after the call is automatically and always nullified. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Now, there is a proposal going through the rules committee that would make these situations potentially live balls similar to other levels but as of right now that is not the rule.
Rule five does identify certain situations in which it is a delayed dead ball we are playing action can occur prior to the Ump Umpire is calling the ball dead. That typically applies to obstruction situations and certain interference scenarios, but that is about it.
What is the rule, if any, for a baseball game to be in the 3rd inn. and is called because of lighting. One team's coach wants to resume the game where they left off, another day. Put everybody [baserunners, batting order,etc.] where ever they were, and preserve stats. Do both teams coaches have to agree on this? Is it within the OHSAA rules?
Per OHSAA rules, any game that is stopped prior to becoming official is considered a SUSPENDED game. This means that if the teams play again, the game is resumed from the point of interruption. This is not MLB where if a game is stopped prior to 5 (or 4-1/2) innings, the game starts over completely.
AllSports12
Moderator
That's a great question.... (and properly answered by Bucksman)
This situation pops up frequently in this area of the country.