[tcblue13]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Theoretically, the difference between the defense taking the field and the first pitch is less than one minute.

I've had various instructions for starting the clock from leagues and TDs. It is not unusual to be told to start the clock at the end of the plate meeting, and to make sure the coaches know the clock has been started. The objective is to encourage a bit of hustle in getting the game underway.

For my normal league games, I will start the timer at the throw down from the catcher. Close enough to first pitch while not requiring that I be still fiddling with the timer when getting set for the pitch.

The championship play rule (ASA rule) seems to assume that an official scorekeeper exists. It is not really workable for the umpire to be starting the clock while the pitch is being released.

In the LL I do, the clock starts at the end of the plate meeting. I walk over the home team scorer and give her an official time.

New question:
Does the next inning begin when the third out of the current inning is made?
IOW if the third out of the bottom half of the inning is made and time is expired (or expires before the home team takes the field on Defense) is the game over?
It is the bold section that I am wondering