Quote:
Originally posted by Whowefoolin
Carl, I have been reading the messages quite a bit. And I see where there is no penalties enforced (i.e., stepping off with wrong foot, holding ball infront with both hands) but a "Don't do that!" was said.
My question, if an umpire says, "Don't do that!", should a rule back that up? Can an umpire just tell a player not to do something if it is not in the rule book?
What happens if the coach/manager comes out and says, "what did he do wrong?" Then the ump says, "nothing illegal, just don't want him to do that?"
I think that the coach will tell the ump "to not coach his players, call balls and strikes!"
So I am not grasping how, if something is not in the rule book, the ump can say not to do it?Max
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No, "Don't do that!" is not a warning. It's the words umpires use to force a pitcher to follow the regulations as a pitcher.
Take a look at 8.01. There we find that the pitcher:
- must have one hand on his side;
- shall come to the stop without alteration or interruption;
- may not pitch off the side of the rubber;
- when he disengages the rubber must drop his hands to his side;
- must take his signs from the catcher while on the rubber.
When the pitcher doesn't follow those regulations, he's not legal. But those infractions
are not balks. The penalty: "Hey, Bubba, don't do that!" Pitchers who continue after numerous warnings to break the rules (without balking) are subject to ejection.
Let's be clear:
"Don't do that" said to a pitcher is not a warning. It's an order to correct his faulty mechanics.
I hope everybody is on the same page now.