Water break?

[ilyazhito]

Originally Posted by BSBAL18

3rd inning. Pitcher has been going long time in the 90 degree heat (probably 40 pitches in one half inning). He calls time and asks for water from dugout. I allow it. he takes 2 drinks and gets back to mound quickly and resumes play.

Opposing coach goes ballistic on me stating "did you just allow a water break? Ive been coaching 35 years and never have i ever seen that". He continues to make remarks throughout the game regarding "so if we walk the next batter can my pitcher get a drink?".

I was not going to be that umpire who didnt allow a kid a drink of water that then passed out or something.

This was a 14u REC league game. However, woudl this be allowed in NFHS playoff game/etc? I know being rec i "relax" some rules, but i couldnt find one about "no water breaks". I told the coach it was my judgement and the pitcher didnt lollygag or anything and was quick.

Ain't got no problem with that. I can't call time to drink myself (I hydrate between innings), but sometimes players need to drink if it's hot, and they may not have enough time if they were at bat/on base in the prior half inning.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by ilyazhito

Ain't got no problem with that. I can't call time to drink myself (I hydrate between innings), but sometimes players need to drink if it's hot, and they may not have enough time if they were at bat/on base in the prior half inning.

Actually, you most certainly can stop the game to hydrate yourself. Especially if you are umpiring the Plate when the temperatures are extremely high no matter what is the humidity level.

I have umpired baseball in central Florida during late July and early August, and even with proper hydration one can hydrate during the inning especially when one is on the Plate.

Mark, Jr., and I have umpired numerous fast pitch softball tournaments here in Ohio and Mark, Jr., umpired an ASA/USA Softball National in Chattanooga, TN one summer where umpires were dropping left and right.

If you feel the need for water, by all means stop the game and drink some.

MTD, Sr.

[Altor]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

If you feel the need for water, by all means stop the game and drink some.

Given the emphasis the NFHS has made in recent years on proper hydration and the litigious society we currently have, I can't believe any UIC or TD worth his/her salt would complain if an umpire took 30 seconds to get a drink of water on a hot day. It's certainly a shorter delay than having to cart an umpire off the field because he/she collapsed.

[jTheUmp]

Originally Posted by Altor

Given the emphasis the NFHS has made in recent years on proper hydration and the litigious society we currently have, I can't believe any UIC or TD worth his/her salt would complain if an umpire took 30 seconds to get a drink of water on a hot day. It's certainly a shorter delay than having to cart an umpire off the field because he/she collapsed.

Agreed.

Paraphrasing from a basketball clinician: Once the ball is dead, the game can't start again until you're ready.