Delay of game (rebuttal article)

[David Emerling]

I assume, for technical reasons, Carl did not include a videoclip in the article I wrote regarding my rebuttal to his Delay of Game article.

Here is the portion of my article that was edited out:

---

Videoclips

Other than the lengthy rituals already discussed, I challenge the notion that having both feet out of the batter's box significantly impacts the progress of the game. I do not think I'm being "disingenuous" in claiming this. After reading Carl's article, I had already made up my mind to write a rebuttal. But first, I had to attend my twin sons' JV high school game. I took my digital camera with a mission – not only to watch my sons play, but to pay particularly close attention to the batters and their mannerisms at the plate. I'll let the reader be the judge as to whether any of these batters warranted an admonishment from the umpire. If so, how much time would that take?

All of the batters in these five clips exit the batter's box after taking a pitch without any of the listed exceptions in FED 7-3-1 applying. Each clip represents a different at-bat. The behavior of these batters typified what I saw throughout the game. They were not unique in any way. The first clip provides the lengthiest "delay" but that is completely due to the coach's lengthy signalling. Play cannot commence until that process is over, whether the batter has one or two feet out of the batter's box. When the coach completes the signals, the batter promptly steps into the box and is ready. It is hard to imagine that this has delayed the game.

Watch the catcher in many of these clips. He's seldom ready any sooner than the batter.

Notice the home plate umpire doesn't seem to be bothered by it all. I'm guessing he has bigger fish to fry. I couldn't agree more.

Here's the link to the videoclip: http://emerling22.com/baseball_videos/delay.avi

It's slightly over 7 megs, so you dial-up people will have to be patient.

---

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[Okblu]

I agree with you David. This happens all the time in Okla. I've never had a problem with batters leaving the box to get signals from the coach as long as they return quickly. I have had to call batters back though(warning), and usually this takes care of the screwing around.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by Okblu

I agree with you David. This happens all the time in Okla. I've never had a problem with batters leaving the box to get signals from the coach as long as they return quickly. I have had to call batters back though(warning), and usually this takes care of the screwing around.

Exactly!

The type of activity you see in that video, to me, is completely normal.

I have no problem with a batter completely stepping out to get his signals as long as he promptly returns to the batter's box without screwing around.

I don't even mind a practice swing or two as long as the pitcher and catcher are still not ready.

You know what wastes more time in this whole process? It's not the batter. When the batter is ready, the catcher stares over at his dugout while the coach touches every part of his face for the next 10-seconds. Look at the catcher in the videoclip, when it seems the batter is holding up the process you'll also notice that the catcher isn't ready himself. He's usually staring at the dugout.

To me FED 7-3-1 is nothing more than a hammer in the umpire's toolbox. It's nice to know it's there if you need it. But not every job needs a hammer.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[Rich]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

I assume, for technical reasons, Carl did not include a videoclip in the article I wrote regarding my rebuttal to his Delay of Game article.

Here is the portion of my article that was edited out:

---

Videoclips

Other than the lengthy rituals already discussed, I challenge the notion that having both feet out of the batter's box significantly impacts the progress of the game. I do not think I'm being "disingenuous" in claiming this. After reading Carl's article, I had already made up my mind to write a rebuttal. But first, I had to attend my twin sons' JV high school game. I took my digital camera with a mission – not only to watch my sons play, but to pay particularly close attention to the batters and their mannerisms at the plate. I'll let the reader be the judge as to whether any of these batters warranted an admonishment from the umpire. If so, how much time would that take?

All of the batters in these five clips exit the batter's box after taking a pitch without any of the listed exceptions in FED 7-3-1 applying. Each clip represents a different at-bat. The behavior of these batters typified what I saw throughout the game. They were not unique in any way. The first clip provides the lengthiest "delay" but that is completely due to the coach's lengthy signalling. Play cannot commence until that process is over, whether the batter has one or two feet out of the batter's box. When the coach completes the signals, the batter promptly steps into the box and is ready. It is hard to imagine that this has delayed the game.

Watch the catcher in many of these clips. He's seldom ready any sooner than the batter.

Notice the home plate umpire doesn't seem to be bothered by it all. I'm guessing he has bigger fish to fry. I couldn't agree more.

Here's the link to the videoclip: http://emerling22.com/baseball_videos/delay.avi

It's slightly over 7 megs, so you dial-up people will have to be patient.

---

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

Wasn't the last pitch in the dirt?

I'm glad they put umpire discretion back into the directed strike. It meant I didn't have to deal with it much anymore. I didn't have to worry about coaches looking for it every time someone stepped out of the box.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Wasn't the last pitch in the dirt?

I'm glad they put umpire discretion back into the directed strike. It meant I didn't have to deal with it much anymore. I didn't have to worry about coaches looking for it every time someone stepped out of the box.

The way the rule reads, it is the umpire's discretion as to whether the act of being completely out of the batter's box delayed the game - thus warranting a strike.

However, the rule still directs that the batter keep one foot in the batter's box unless one of the listed exceptions apply. It is this latter point that, technically, gives the umpire no discretion.

The debate has two sides:

1. There are those who want to enforce this rule such that EVERY BATTER must keep one foot in the batter's box unless one of the exceptions apply. When they fail to comply, the umpire promptly directs the batter to keep one foot in the box.

The other side of the debate.

2. Yeah ... yeah .... yeah. But who really cares unless the batter is delaying the game? Why nag the batters? This is especially true when all the batter is really doing is getting the sign from the 3rd base coach. If he promptly takes his position in the batter's box, I say, "Big deal." It's not even worth the discussion.

Once you start enforcing this rule, I don't see how you can stop. Are you going to allow some batters to step out without an admonishment while others get an admonishment to get one foot back in the box? Now you're inconsistent - which makes it look like you may be harassing one team more than the other.

My method is consistent ... more natural ... less obstrusive ... and even though it is not "letter of the law", nobody cares or notices. Strictly enforcing the rule generally causes everybody to care and notice. And, to what end? To speed up the game? I think not.

In my opinion, an umpire's attention and efforts are better directed toward more substantive matters in the game.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[thumpferee]

I actually had a V coach yell at his batter yesterday who stepped out of the box to take signs, saying, "What are you doing, keep one foot in the box".

And it was a swinging strike.

I personally don't understand why batters want to step out so much. When I played, it took me a couple of @ bats to dig out a nice comfortable hole to plant my back foot in. I kept my back foot planted as much as I could and opened up to get my signs.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by thumpferee

I actually had a V coach yell at his batter yesterday who stepped out of the box to take signs, saying, "What are you doing, keep one foot in the box".

And it was a swinging strike.

I personally don't understand why batters want to step out so much. When I played, it took me a couple of @ bats to dig out a nice comfortable hole to plant my back foot in. I kept my back foot planted as much as I could and opened up to get my signs.

That's great! I say let the coach do all the nagging, if that's what he wants to do.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[PeteBooth]

To me FED 7-3-1 is nothing more than a hammer in the umpire's toolbox. It's nice to know it's there if you need it. But not every job needs a hammer.

David I disagree. I like the ruling compared to that of OBR which has no ruling, other than if a batter refuses to come to bat.

When I first see batter's COMPLETELY out of the box is when I warn, meaning inning number one, instructing them as the rule states to keep one foot in the box.

Why!

it has ben my experience, that the closer the game, B1 and the coach will take full advantage if you do not enforce the rule. As the game tightens up, B1 will start to STARE more at the coach, etc. and the game will be delayed.

Also, let's assume this. You are allowing batters to step completely out of the box. One team doesn't delay the game but the other team does.

Now what! If you are allowing one team to do it, you cannot all of a sudden penalize the other team.

Remember the rule is for BOTH teams. They do not pay us by the hour. Move the game along in accordance with the rules.

Pete Booth

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

To me FED 7-3-1 is nothing more than a hammer in the umpire's toolbox. It's nice to know it's there if you need it. But not every job needs a hammer.

David I disagree.

Every job does need a hammer?

I like the ruling compared to that of OBR which has no ruling, other than if a batter refuses to come to bat.

When I first see batter's COMPLETELY out of the box is when I warn, meaning inning number one, instructing them as the rule states to keep one foot in the box.

Nag!

Why!

it has ben my experience, that the closer the game, B1 and the coach will take full advantage if you do not enforce the rule. As the game tightens up, B1 will start to STARE more at the coach, etc. and the game will be delayed.

I've never seen a batter remain out of the batter's box simply because "the game tightens up."

The reason they are generally out of the batter's box is because the coach is giving a lengthy set of signals ... which becomes more typical as a game "tightens up."

Pete, what do you do or say when a batter does keep one foot in the batter's box and the coach goes through a lengthy set of signals?

I already know your answer, "Nothing!"

You can't really control that. It's part of the game.

So, what substantive difference does it make whether he gets the signals with one foot in or completely out of the batter's box - as long as he is promptly ready at the end of the signal giving?

Also, let's assume this. You are allowing batters to step completely out of the box. One team doesn't delay the game but the other team does.

Stop!

I have already said that I don't mention it unless I think it is needlessly delaying the game. I don't think the batter getting his signals from the 3rd base coach is considered delaying the game.

I do not permit lengthy rituals.

Now what! If you are allowing one team to do it, you cannot all of a sudden penalize the other team.

I would not penalize either team unless a particular batter was both flagrant and uncooperative.

I would not enforce this penalty until it became flagrant. And I can assure you, by the time I enforce it, even the concession stand hot dog vendor will be thinking, "Thank God!"

Remember the rule is for BOTH teams. They do not pay us by the hour. Move the game along in accordance with the rules.

And I would apply my standard equally for BOTH teams.

So, you saw the video - right? Did you think those batters were delaying the game?

* * *

I don't mean to argue with you. We just have a simple philosophical disagreement as to the importance of this rule and how it is to be administered. It's no big deal - we can agree to disagree.

As you can see, the umpire in the video is not invoking this rule. Nobody notices ... nobody cares ... the game moves along ... everybody is happy. I say, "Why look for areas of conflict where there seems to be no need?"

Would you accept this: If you were to call a game in this area (Memphis), there is a good chance your style would not be well received considering how games have been traditionally called here for many years?

If your answer is, "Yes," then you have an understanding of my point of view.

Again, I don't permit the batters to needlessly delay game. I just don't see how every batter who is completely out of the batter's box is necessarily delaying the game.

Pete, is there any administrative rule that you, personally, tend to let slide unless it becomes a problem?

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

If the player or coach wants to delay the game before Daylight Savings Time is in effect, that's alright by me. It's cold and I get to go home early.

I was also amazed at the amount of signs a JV coach finds necessary.

[DG]

I counted about 15 seconds of wasted time in these 5 clips. If this is typical for 5 pitches then it is 3 seconds per pitch times 200 pitches = 10 minutes, just WASTED...

[JRutledge]

This is the reason games take a long time. I just tell the kid to stay in the box and they stay in the box. There is no reason for batters to step completely out of the box to take a sign. I remember I told people that many of my games took less than 2 hours and some did not believe me. It is stuff like this that keeps the games long. You do not have to be an *** about it, just tell the kids to stay in the box and they will listen.

Do not get me started about activity in between innings.

Peace

[PeteBooth]

Pete, is there any administrative rule that you, personally, tend to let slide unless it becomes a problem?

David I do not consider rule 7-3-5 to be an administrative type rule. It is there to speed up the game. IMO, the problem is that the rule is not enforced unilaterally as evidenced by your post.

IMO a brand new post can be started called Umpire or Umpire Association consistency. If the rule is enforced from day one by ALL umpires within a given association there will be no problem.

IMO, Rule 7-3-5 reminds me of the old FED rule regarding the shoulder turn. Prior to last year's change, in FED F1 could not check the runner as he could do in an OBR game. How many umpires enforced that rule? Answer it varied from region to region and umpire to umpire which was probably a main reason for the change. Even MLB is talking about adopting the FED ruling about the batter's box. MLB is tired of seeing Jeter/Nomar take an inordinate amount of time at the plate.

I am not a hard a** with this rule. I treat this rule the same way with regards to F1 not coming to a stop. If I notice F1 not coming to a stop, I will call TIME dust off the plate and tell F2 to talk to his F1. That's their warning - Preventative umpire. If they do not adhere from that point on then it's enforced.

The rule states a batter MUST have one foot in the box and there is a reason.

As far as your questions about what administrative rules I ignore. Basically the uniform rules (unless I have to), the 20 second rule for F1.

As stated, IMO rule 7-3-5 is not an admistartive typr ruling. The problem as with other type rules is that the rule is not enforced unilaterally which causes a problem.

Pete Booth

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Last year, I ran into this issue again. Unpires in our area tend to ignore this during the regular season. Here come the playoffs and umpires who have never worked together ask if this should be called.

I tend to enforce the batters box issue, but not to speed things up. I don't like to have some snot nose seventeen year old take a called strike and then step out shaking his head and adjusting his gloves. Then the magic sign machine begins and his skipper tells him to ignore pitches like that. Great, two more and Junior is picking splinters out of his kiester.

I do take issue with the thought that keeping one foot in the box speeds up the game. That's BS - the signs still take just as long if Junior is straddling the box or bothe feet are just outside. Remember, if he swings he can take a walk, regroup and then start the signs. I've known many a batter that gets a series of signs, then asks for the coach to roll through them again. I've mumbled, "He just signalled to not let another good one go by."

How many layers are you wearing right now? I still have my winter pounds so I can get away with only three!

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by PWL

Are there any speed-up rules in girl's fast pitch softball? After every pitch, the batter will step out, look down at the base coach, take about five swings, step into the box with their hand up towards the umpire, and dig in for the pitch. They're worse than Nomar Garciaparra. Then after every out with no one on base, they pass the ball around, and gather in the pitcher's circle for group high five.

I see these control freak coaches start it at an early level and it seems to filter up into the high school ranks also. I have watched the NCAA Women's World Series on TV, and it sure moves faster than anything at the lower levels. Only thing that slows it down is the commercials.

Boy, you're right about this!

I just watched my daughter's HS fastpitch team play in several tournament games this weekend. There was this one team that went through all the exact rituals that you have mentioned.

Give me a break!

At one point, I thought they were having a séance in the infield. Every strikeout triggered a Mardi Gras celebration. I can't believe the PU tolerated it.

In my opinion, these are the type of needless delays that can ruin a game.

But this is NOT that type of activity that I'm referring in this discussion.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN