Quick Pitch?

[David B]

Originally Posted by LakeErieUmp

Actually, it's the players game and we as umpires are supposed to make calls based on the rules. I always cringe when I read "it's our game" - the teams contract with us to officiate, not the other way around. We don't contract with teams to play for us. The fields are lined for the teams. Spectators attend for the teams. We as umpires should call the game to the best of our ability, education, and training, making decision upon the rules that exist, and do our part to have the game played fairly.

Too often I see the "our game" mentality (and it's cousin the "it's my strike zone coach live with it") causing unnecessary friction. Call THEIR game, enforce the rules in THEIR rule book (speed the game up if Fed asks you to, for example) fairly and competently.

Just my two cents which I anticipate will not be well received.

We are not talking about rules here, we are talking about administration of the ballgame.

That is what separates the good umpires from the rest of them.

In order to maintain and have a crisp, clean game it all depends on the umpires and "its my game mentality" is IMO the best way to handle coaches and players.

We are not calling "their game", and its not "their rule book". I don't work for the NFHS, they don't pay me a penny, actually we pay them to join their associations.

I am paid by the schools and they under the umbrella of the NFHS. But once I step on the field, everything has to go through me. And that is the authority given to me by the rule book.

Thanks
David

[LMan]

There is the rulebook, and then there is game management. They are inextricably intertwined, and to simply 'call the rules' without 'managing' the game results in poor-to-middling games, unnecessary conflict, and a stalled career. Game management separates the poor/mediocre from the good/great.

Don't ever think you can just 'call the rulebook' and move up beyond middle school ball.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by David M

Fall ball game yesterday under OBR. Runner on second. Pitcher in stretch throws pitch before batter is close to being ready but batter has both feet in the box. I called a balk for an illegal pitch. Is this a correct call or should it be a no pitch? Does the pitcher have to wait for the batter to be ready? The only example I could find was of a pitcher getting the ball back from the catcher and throwing the next pitch without even taking a sign.

I am more lenient towards the batter before the first pitch. The pitcher gets the nod afterward, unless the batter has to bail and reset.

A) Call time, as others have suggested, give instructions to prevent situation and avoid the drama from both benches. Warn both parties.

B) Balk because it was an illegal quick pitch or call time if you feel the batter was placed at an unfair advantage. Remember pitcher must allow reasonable time and then come to a complete STOP.

C) The batter can't doodle there for more than reasonable time. Call ball or strike because it appears the pitch was legal and batter had other things on his mind. NO, the pitcher does not have to wait for this batter. I assume both feet are in the batter's box, the batter is looking at the pitcher and the pitcher properly sets before making his delivery.