Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Ineligible Pitcher substitution - Little League

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Saw an interesteing scenario that prompted a need for a rules clarification. We play Little League softball rules for 11-12 year olds. Book rule states that if pitcher pitches an inning they must have a full day rest between starts.

Pitcher A pitches 3 innings on Monday and tries to start on Tuesday. Coach from opposing team allows her to pitch one pitch and calls them on it. Umpire rules her ineligible and awards an illegal pitch and rules another pitcher must come in. Pitcher B comes in for 3 innings and begins to struggle so they remove her and replace her with Pitcher C. Pitcher C REALLY struggles so the re-enter pitcher B. Opposing team argues she cannot re-enter because she was not the starting pitcher of record. Umpire rules that since first pitcher was illegal their claim is denied and play goes on with pitcher B finishing the game.

Is the umpires ruling on Pitcher B re-entering correct?

 

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Yes! an illegal pitch is not a pitch it is an violation of a rule. Much like in baseball a balk is not a pitch.

 

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Interesting scenario? As a parent/coach, I would be ticked. Just beat the heck out of that team the next time you face them. I feel sorry for a team is so intent on winning at the U12 Rec Level League that they rely on technical rules violation (that doesn't exist in ASA rulebook) to gain an advantage. I remember when I played little league, a coach tried to force a forfeit on a team because one of its players had metal cleats on. Bushleague.

 

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Yes! an illegal pitch is not a pitch it is an violation of a rule. Much like in baseball a balk is not a pitch.

I don't know little league rules but to my knowledge in ASA and other sanctions the call of an illegal pitch is a pitch and the batter would be awarded a ball for the effort. All baserunners would be awarded the next base but with this being the first batter of the game it doesn't matter.

Come on people, can't we all get along and allow some common sense and sportsmanship into the game? It's kids 12 yrs. old playing a little league game!

 

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I think the umpire ruled correctly.

Question: Were both teams from the same club/community? If not that would mean the opposing manager went to the extent of calling a manager from another community to verify who pitched the day before against them....for a rec game....really.

 

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Interesting scenario? As a parent/coach, I would be ticked. Just beat the heck out of that team the next time you face them. I feel sorry for a team is so intent on winning at the U12 Rec Level League that they rely on technical rules violation (that doesn't exist in ASA rulebook) to gain an advantage. I remember when I played little league, a coach tried to force a forfeit on a team because one of its players had metal cleats on. Bushleague.

I believe the penalty for wearing metal cleats is a warning to the offending player and then an ejection to that player if they do not comply. So is it OK for one team to abide by the rules and for another team to violate them? If it's a rule, then just follow it. I doubt that too many 8-18 year old girls know all the intricacies of any of the fastpitch rule books. The Coach; however, should.

 

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Your original question was "Is the umpire's ruling on Pitcher B re-entering correct?" Technically, Pitcher A threw a pitch, which was protested as an ineligible pitcher, which resulted in an illegal pitch call and a ball on the batter. (This is not the same as the baseball balk rule, where sometimes a pitch is not even thrown for a balk to be called, i.e., shoulder movement, etc.) The reason for the rule is to save little league arms while hoping to encourage coaches to develop several girls to learn to pitch. So Pitcher B would be Pitcher #2 in the game.

NOW - since this is not the World Series finals, and this is a rec game of 11 and 12 year old girls, I believe the umpire absolutely made the correct call and I would back him 100%. If Pitcher C was *REALLY* struggling, as you said, do you really want to sit through a monotonous afternoon of ball after ball and your players have no pitches to take cuts at? It sounds like the other coach did what he could do, and to avoid a travesty of the game, re-entered what most would consider the starting or beginning pitcher of the game. I would rather earn a win than be handed one because a struggling 3rd pitcher walked in run after run. Unless it was the World Series Finals

 

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common sense--12 year olds, sounds like the coach who protested may have been 8 yrs old. its my ball and im taking it home. game over.

 

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If it's a rule, then just follow it. I doubt that too many 8-18 year old girls know all the intricacies of any of the fastpitch rule books. The Coach; however, should.

Where's the Like button?

 

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S. Pasadena girl disqualified for wearing friendship bracelet - More Sports - SI.com

It's a rule, then just follow it. So who's the real winner in this story?