New inning (Time Limit)

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When does a new inning officially start in a "finish the inning" format, in an ASA pool play game?

a) when the prior inning ends (last out)?
b) when the first pitch of the new inning occurs?
c) at the whim of the umpire?

 

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As soon as the last out is recorded.

 

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As soon as the last out of the previous inning is recorded is the proper answer, but most likely you will run into the umpires whim as common place.

 

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Sooo. During one of these "whims" , do the coaches have the right to demand that the teams play on or is that generally frowned upon? The only reason I ask is that I can see a scenario where a team may want that last inning to play out.

 

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Time limits are established by the TD typically and there interest is to keep the tournament on schedule. Usually by the time you get the situation to a point that you are trying to find the TD, it is way too late.

I always suggest that you have the umpire declare the game start time and your scorekeeper actually write it in the book and sync your clock to that time. It never hurts to cover this whole topic in the pre-game meeting at the plate.

 

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Yes but I have seen umpires call a game 2 min early because they didn't think that we could get the game in by then. We had to get the TD on the phone who told him that he had to start the next inning because there was still time left. I can see where that may ruffle the guys feathers but we were down 1 and were the home team. We wanted to play that last inning to have a chance to win. As it turns out we lost but for me it was the principle of the whole thing.

 

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As it turns out we lost but for me it was the principle of the whole thing.

For me, it's also the principle. Umpires that want to cut things short, ending the game before the agreed upon time limit has been hit, really rub me the wrong way. It's dishonest and shows a lack of integrity.

If you're so darn eager to end a game that you can't abide by the rules and play one more inning, then maybe you shouldn't be signing up to officiate games in the first place.

 

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Jd100 going to OFC for help..... Nice! Glad to see you here.

 

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Once a game starts it is either in the top or bottom of an inning. I have had umpires tell me they aren't starting another inning, as if it's something they do or allow. As someone else said the next half inning begins immediately after the third out of the prior half inning. If time didn't expire during the inning (that is, before the third out of bottom half inning was made) you play another inning.

 

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Agree with the others. The games are already being shortened from their regulation 7 innings. I will make a scene if they try to cut short even a pool game!

 

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Agree with the others. The games are already being shortened from their regulation 7 innings. I will make a scene if they try to cut short even a pool game!

This was an issue for us twice last year, we won them both and one of them was on a day that would make the devil ask for air conditioning so we didn't complain too much. However, as JWB said, these are already shortened games. What does the group think is the best way to get out ahead of this? Email the TDs and ask them to solidify the rule the the UIC? That seems logical but is there something more?