Umpire Question?

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"...can the pitcher step back off the rubber and "correct" this?"

Nope, you can't "un-ring" that bell! Once the illegal pitch is called you have to let it play out.

It sounds like the umpire called this correctly, as far as the timing. When a foreign substance is applied to the ball (licking the fingers and not wiping them off is considered "applying a foreign substance&quot the illegal pitch should be called at that point.

The pitcher might still go through with her delivery and all of the above noted "options" would still apply.

Usually, the pitcher will stop and not deliver the pitch. As soon as that happens, the umpire should call "dead ball" and enforce the IP penalty.

 

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ngill, everything said so far is correct except for you said the illegal pitch was called as soon as she stepped on the rubber. The illegal pitch occurs when you put the foreign substance on the ball. If the pitcher has the ball in glove and licks fingers and doesnt look to be wiping she is not illegal until that unwiped finger or hand makes contact with the ball.

 

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Question, at what age/league level does the drop 3rd strike rule stop? Is that just a County or Highschool rule?
We noticed while watching the Girls National League Tournaments that it was not applied. Does anyone know?

Thanks in advance.