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Originally posted by Gee
Rich,
It seems that way. Saw the first round of the Div. 2 states last week. Masconomet vs Concord Carlisle. The Masco pitcher must have gone to his mouth,within the 18 foot circle at least 25 times.
No warnings, no penalty, nothing. I was embarassed. Did a Babe Ruth game last night, warned both pitchers about it in the first two innings. Never happened again. G.
Gee, whats your problem with F1 going to his mouth other than it's in the rules? As with any rule we need to examine it's intent.
At one time a PRO pitcher could throw what was referred to as the "Spitter". A Pro F1 similar to a pool shark with the cue ball can do tricks with the baseball - Your average amateur F1 cannot.
Also, I do not know about you, but in most games I umpire you have 3 maybe 4 brand new baseballs for the entire game and that's it. Around the 4th inning or so, there's scuff marks, mud, dirt etc. all over the baseballs and you want to worry about F1 going to his mouth.
The name of the game is to call strikes, why call a ball unnessarily. No I do not think the umpires should be embarrased in the above scenario but commended for not calling such a rediculous rule.
IMO, this rule is similar to the uniform rule, 20 second rule etc. - Don't call it
Now if a coach starts to complain etc. then we have to give a warning but that's it.
Pete Booth
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Peter M. Booth
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