Can a pitcher request the mound be raked, dirt added, or repaired during an inning?

[UmpJM]

eb_baseballguy,

In terms of a rule, the following works for me:

3.11 Between games of a doubleheader, or whenever a game is suspended because of the unfitness of the playing field, the umpire-in-chief shall have control of ground-keepers and assistants for the purpose of making the playing field fit for play.

PENALTY: For violation, the umpire-in-chief may forfeit the game to the visiting team.

JM

[MajorDave]

Did it this morning. Raining. Mound got sloppy. 14yo pitcher couldn't find the plate and blamed the mound. Called time. Had grounds crew guy come out and rake and put diamond dry on front slope of mound. Went back to calling strikes. Rain stopped. Game complete. No more whining. I would probably still be out there if I had not stopped and had them fix the mound. (grin)

[DG]

Anybody can ask anything. Doesn't mean we agree.

However, in this case I have two concerns, pitcher injury, and strikes, in that order. If pitcher can't throw strikes because he thinks the mound needs work we stop the game and work on it. Even if he isn't complaining, if I think the mound may lead to injury we stop the game and work on the mound.