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Originally Posted by JEL
Of all the rules that befuddle the mind (or mindless as it may be), this at least for me ain't one of them. This is under the "substitution" section. If a defensive coach wants to make the change, he is allowed to do so.
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You're right, this rule appears under the substitution section.
Is it a substitution when the defense has F4 and F1 switch positions in mid-inning? That's not a "substitution", it's a position change; no more than if F4 and F6 swapped position.
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The offensive coach may try and say "she has to pitch to at least one batter."
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So, is there ever a point in time when a pitcher (whether pitching because of a substitution or because of a position change) ever is "required to pitch"?
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The ruling is "No coach, The pitcher is not required to pitch until the first batter faced completes their time at bat"
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The rule uses the phraseology, "required to pitch".
When is a particular pitcher REQUIRED to throw the next pitch, if ever?
If an umpire is uncertain how to answer the above question, and he references the rule, how does the rule help him answer it?
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I dunno, that seems pretty simple to me.
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Is it possible this is all clear in your mind because of your understanding of the game and how it is supposed to be called, rather, than your understanding of this particular rule?
Put yourself into the shoes of a fledgling umpire who is learning this stuff for the first time.
A team changes pitchers and then, changes their mind. The other coach objects and says, "They can't do that! She
has to pitch."
The new umpire is unsure what to do. He opens his rule book and looks for guidance.
All it says is: "The pitcher is not required to pitch until the first batter faced completes their time at bat or the side is retired."
David Emerling
Memphis, TN