Quote:
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Originally Posted by Dakota
Assuming the PU was not holding up the pitch when the batter stepped across, and assuming the pitcher was on the plate ready to pitch or was taking or had already taken the signs from the catcher
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If the pitcher is on the plate before the batter is ready, then the PU's hand better be up!
This is one of my pet peeves, especially with younger pitchers. They are so anxious to pitch that if you don't stop them, they'll fire before the batter is ready. It won't be long until I tire of holding up my arm and I am having a discussion with the pitcher and/or coach about
staying off the plate until the batter is ready.
As a former pitching coach I know that a pitcher develops a better rhythm by waiting until the batter is ready, then stepping up, taking a signal, and going into her motion. She, rather than the batter, controls the pace, and is able to have the same timing every pitch. By time a girl has pitched a few years she will have learned this.
With a good 16U or varsity pitcher I almost never have my hand up. They will wait for the batter to finish scratching and moving, and to bring their eyes up. Then the pitcher steps up and goes.
In the OP the umpire should have had his hand up. Then the out call would never happen. IMO, poor technique on the umpire's part.
WMB