3 hit batsmen

[osbb]

In a summer league junior varsity baseball game our pitcher was removed for hitting 3 batters in a row in the same inning. Up to that point, the pitcher had pitched 3 solid innings with great control and had a 2-2 count with 2 outs in the last inning.

He grazed hit batter 1 on a curve ball that did not make it back over the plate. Batter 2 got hit on the very next pitch. I called timeout and the pitcher said he was just fine and the ball just slipped. Batter 3 got hit leaning in on the very next pitch.

It was obvious to all that our pitcher was not throwing at anyone intentionally--fortunately the situation remained very calm and cordial throughout (as a matter of fact both teams, fans, umpires, etc. wanted to get out of there ASAP to get home to watch the NBA finals game). Nevertheless, the opposing coach felt compelled to ask the plate umpire for the removal of the pitcher after arguing that the rules required removal (I don't blame him for trying to find a way to keep his team in the game).

The plate umpire asked me if I planned to remove the pitcher. I said I was not planning on it (thinking that we only needed one more out, one of our best and most poised pitchers was on the hill, and overall that the situation was probably just a fluke). However, I would have to say that had he plunked the next guy I'm sure I would have removed him with the thought that he now had some kind of Chuch Knoblauch-type mental block.

Anyway, the opposing coach insisted on the removal--the plate umpire and I said we were not familiar with such a rule requiring removal. The opposing coach asked that the base umpire be consulted. The base umpire said he had never seen such a rule in writing but that he had heard fellow umpires discuss the situation and felt that such a rule existed. As such, the umpires called for the removal (not ejection just removal of the pitcher from the mound).

Fortunately, after a bases loaded walk, a base hit, a Texas leaguer, and a pop out we were able to get out of the inning and escape with a one run win (of course its easier to calmly discuss this since the outcome was in our favor). I can't remember ever seeing much less coaching a game where a pitcher hit three batters in an inning.

Anybody know whether such a rule really exists. Everybody I have talked to so far says "no." But, I am still curious about what others think. We play AABC baseball, using High School Federation rules, modified by Texas UIL rules. Please advise.