Rules Question

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Is there a rule in any book (NFHS, ASA, NSA, USSSA) that says the batting team can not tip the location of a pitch off to their batter or for that matter the actual pitch if they pick up the signs?

Had an instance where our girls were telling the batter "out" when the catcher set up on the outside of the plate. Opposing coach complained and the umpire told our girls they couldn't yell stuff like that. Our coach didn't complain but he may not have heard the exchange because he was down at third base.

 

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That would be like telling the girls that they couldn't try to figure out the signs from the coach to the catcher. We have even had parents tip the batter off on the catchers location, which is when the catcher holds her glove right behind the batters helmet, that gets a reaction.

 

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Not aware of any official rule about yelling out the pitch location. Players trying to steal the signs is part of the game. I do have a problem when coaches and/or parents get in on the action and start yelling out the location. If we run into it, we just mix things up and tilt the scale in our favor for a while.

 

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No rule against it, my middle DD was a lefty and loved when the opposing team was on third base side. She'd stare right at the coach giving the signs to the catcher...

 

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Catcher moves to the outside... pitcher throws to the inside when they start that stuff.

But no rule against it.

 

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I've always thought that was bush to call locations like that. One of the unwritten rules, which boys enforce quite well with a fastball in the ear.

 

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It happens in girls too. Seen the ear pitch called when the fans behind the screen was doing their best to yell catcher's location.

Don't need it... a batter can take a millasecond and look with her side vision and see where the catcher is... unless the catcher waits ( like they are suppose to do ) until the last possible second before moving in or out.

 

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If the catcher sets up too early, then it's her fault for tipping off the pitch. A smart catcher would signal the pitcher the location at the same time as the pitch type (example: index finger = fastball, touch left thigh for inside to RH batter), then move into position when she is in her windup. That way if there is any yelling from the bench the batter is now thinking about the pitch AND the location at the same time. Kind of tough for a batter to get ready to hit a pitch and hear INSIDE being yelled at her.

On the other hand, some 3B coaches are too obvious with signals too. We played a friendly the other week where the coach was giving the steal sign - and nothing else! 2B figured it out right away and was letting her teammates know.

 

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Usually by the third inning when I am umpiring.. I can steal the steal signal as well giving me that lead towards second base.

Sometimes I just ask the coaches before the game... afterall... don't they want me as close to that bag as possible for their runners...LOL

 

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If the catcher sets up too early, then it's her fault for tipping off the pitch. A smart catcher would signal the pitcher the location at the same time as the pitch type (example: index finger = fastball, touch left thigh for inside to RH batter), then move into position when she is in her windup. That way if there is any yelling from the bench the batter is now thinking about the pitch AND the location at the same time. Kind of tough for a batter to get ready to hit a pitch and hear INSIDE being yelled at her.

On the other hand, some 3B coaches are too obvious with signals too. We played a friendly the other week where the coach was giving the steal sign - and nothing else! 2B figured it out right away and was letting her teammates know.

The catcher was setting up waaaaay too early and they never tried to fool the batters as the game went on. 10U girls could have picked up when the pitch was going to be outside.

The thing that got me was that the opposing coach was able to the get the umpire to tell our girls they couldn't yell anything.

 

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Stealings signs, part of the game..Yelling out where.. gets the pitch in the ear hole..

 

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If the hitter peeks back and sees the catcher set up early, good for her, players/coaches stealing signs and signaling to each other, good for team, but players/coaches yelling out locations, bush. Have heard umps tell opposing teams that it's unsportmanslike to do so and to stop.

 

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Stealing signs is part of the game and fan involvement is part of the game. However injuring a batter is NOT part of the game and should be discourage and at the higher should bring immediate ejection. A kid that brings the ball approaching 60MPH is throwing a dangerous projectile and it should be treated with respect; similar to a gun.

Any 16U/18U first rate pitcher can put the ball where she wants. The ear hole is not appropriate at any level. There are lot of better places to aim and send a message without a risking permanent brain injury. Stealing signs seems to be petty and not worth trouble. Save a message for when she has something that needs to be relayed. Wouldn't it just be better to strike her out and set her down.