Hottest rule to call this summer!

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Was there an Umpires memo this summer about calling (actually warning) the pitchers about where they can take the sign from the catcher?

At every game of every tourney so far this summer, I've had an umpire remind the pitchers of both teams (whether they were doing it or not) that they have to be on the rubber before they can take the sign from the catcher.

What's up with this? No one has received any balls called on them for doing it, it is just brought up to them out of the blue.

Did something major happen that has made the umpire world go crazy over this?

 

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You can actually take the sign from whereever in reality.. but when you hit the rubber a pitcher must delay herself as if "acting" like she is taking a sign.

Bulldog, it just all about the delay... so a pitcher doesn't walk up on the mound and fire away. She has to pause before pitching.

 

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Not seen any pitchers rushing to pitch once stepping on the rubber. But at every game so far, the ump has brought this up. Just seems strange that all of a sudden its the rave.

Just wondered if anyone else has noticed this.

 

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Yes- saw it this past weekend in Willoughby. DD's team had an illegal pitch called for "failure to take the sign from the catcher while on the rubber"....

 

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very fine ace for buckeye elite 16u has an awful habit of not even hesitating when stepping on the rubber , she gets the sign from behind the rubber, and almost walks thru when delivering the pitch. She was called on it several times the day i watched her throw. MD

 

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very fine ace for buckeye elite 16u has an awful habit of not even hesitating when stepping on the rubber , she gets the sign from behind the rubber, and almost walks thru when delivering the pitch. She was called on it several times the day i watched her throw. MD

I can only imagine the power she gets from not delaying. DD does Carolina drills (two walking steps and then pitching from rubber, non-stop) and the increase in speed is amazing.

 

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Birthday boy (Quakerman) is correct. Regardless of where or whether you get a sign, once on the pitching plate you must simulate that you are receiving a signal, or you will called for a quick pitch.

Len

 

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We were told it was illegal to take a sign off the mound at two seperate tourneys.....

 

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So take the sign off the mound, hop on and simulate taking the sign again.

 

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Brettman addressed this in another post. ASA clearly states as the Quake said you have to pause to "simulate" taking a sign. I questioned a U-trip umpire after we were called for an illegal pitch and he went and got the rule book and in that santion you DO HAVE to be on the rubber to take the signal. We don't play any NSA so I am not sure about them.

 

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We were told it was illegal to take a sign off the mound at two seperate tourneys.....

Come on, she did not take a pitching sign while off the rubber, she took a defensive play sign while off the rubber....lol

Thats what you tell the umpire..

 

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Well let me ask this question. When batter is in box can pitcher deliver ? My pitcher was warned all week end that when batter is in box she still needs to let her get set before delivery

 

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No, if batter in box and ump is ready and time isnt called she is fair game....

 

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not 100% true.
the pitcher can not be starting her motion AS THE BATTER IS GETTING INTO THE BOX

 

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We got called for this earlier in the year as well, the umpire didn't even warn our pitcher. He just called an illegal pitch and we asked what she did wrong and he replied she took the sign off of the rubber. Meanwhile, the opposing pitcher was hopping a good 3-4 inches off of the rubber and nothing was called. Not sure why some rules are enforced and others are not? Just the way it goes I guess.

 

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not 100% true.
the pitcher can not be starting her motion AS THE BATTER IS GETTING INTO THE BOX

Note it says "in" box not getting in.....

 

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Both feet "in" box but blue is saying that she still has to get ready and my pitcher has to wait

 

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If it is as you say then so long as she doesnt have time, is in box and just digging or whatever that is fair to pitch, dont care how you slice it that is rule 101 so long as it isnt like Parma said and she is walking in.

 

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most good umpires will have their hand up allowing for the batter to get set. Pitcher cannot pitch through the hand therefore all it can be is a no pitch. No advantage or disadvantage to either. This is called I believe... yes... wait for it .....is called Sportsmanship. Why must we have to get an edge by pushing and bending basic rules. As an umpire you WILL NOT pitch until the hand is down in any game that I call.
Dan Adkins

 

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Both feet "in" box but blue is saying that she still has to get ready and my pitcher has to wait

Good for your umpire, because he is right!

The batter has ten seconds to get positioned in the box and may use every last one of those seconds if she wishes. And, if you read the pitching rules, the pitcher may not attempt a pitch when the batter is off-balance or not ready or set.

As Big Dan said, many umpires will give the "Do Not Pitch" sign if it looks like the pitcher is getting ready to pitch and the batter is not ready. This is a basic tool of good game management.

This isn't supposed to be a cat and mouse game of trying to catch the batter off guard. Pitchers already have a tremendous advantage in this game. Umpires should not be giving them an even bigger advantage by letting them pitch before the batter is ready- not just by the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play, but by RULE.