[Grandad]

I supose it is possible or probable that the umpire or the coach instructed the pitcher to pitch, the way the pitcher ran to the mound and threw. But I did not hear or see any instruction, Or warning to the batter either. Up untill that time it seemed to be a normal game between two good teams. The batting team won their tournament the weekend before. Against the home sponsoring team of this tournament at another city. The winner of this game would most likely face the home team which was undefeated in the other division. The pitching team was a slightly bigger bunch from a larger city in the next county. I suspect now that the tournament director may have given instructions to speed up the play. Pitchers were to have only three warmup throws from the mound and there as no infield ball alowed. No warmup mounds or space along the field so the kids were warming up in the parking lot. The pitching team adapted readily to the new situation, probably because of their exposure to it the day before. But the hitting team ordered to get in the box in a, here it comes ready or not, situation struggled. Machine gun style huried pitching resulted. sanctioned by the ump as he made no effort to slow down the pitcher. In the huried pace the pitchers became wilder and had dificulty throwing strikes and some walks resulted. Hurried pitches to rattled unset batters. The game was tied when it began and ended with the pitching team ahead by one run. They defeated the home sponsoring team later that day. I did not post here to complain. only to try and find some clarification on the rules. You all have been very gracious to me with your very informative responses and I thank you very much. If I might sign out with a small quote from me. "If the arbiter of a childrens game can not interpret and inforce the rule book with dignity and impartiality then surely it will be dificult for him or his bretheren to derive respect from these children when they are adults" Grandad P.S I apologise for being windy, Thanks for listening.