Quote:
Originally posted by PeteBooth
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.
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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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First off Peter I have never called a ball in that sitch, always a warning. In varsity, I tell the pitchers, discreetly, that they can't do it. If they inadvertently do it, I don't see it, however if they make a joke out of it, like the kid I cited before, I'm going to bang 'em.
If you don't, your leaving the job for the next ump or the next level. Yes, it is in the rules, When do you start enforcing it? JV? V? College? Pro?
It has to be enforced sooner or later and in my opinion, the sooner the better. Don't think of it as a booger that hurts the kid. Think of it as HELPING the kid for the future.
Last nights game was a Junior Babe Ruth game, 14 and 15 year olds. In the first inning the pitcher threw four pitches, wet his fingers on every pitch. I went out to the mound and told him about it, he said he knows but has a bad habit. I explained to him that as he goes up the ladder he is going to be burnt on that. He only wet his fingers once after that and I didn't see it. Problem solved, I hope.
So you say wait until the coach comes out and explains the rule to you. Not me, I'm being paid to know the rules. Then you say you have to give a warning. Not in OBR, nor my league nor my Association. No warnings, bang it. G.