Comments about warning the pitcher

[Jay R]

Under 21 game. Well pitched close game.

Througout the game, Visitors pitcher is not giving up many hits or walks but he is fighting his control regularly with pitches that are getting away. Four or five players from home team are ducking pitches but nobody was ever hit. At different times, I was expecting the Home pitcher to maybe retaliate with an inside pitch. I had told myself that if that did happen I would issue warnings to both teams. There had been some trash talking between the teams but nothing to warrant ejections. (I had talked to both managers about dealing with the trash talking). The home pitcher (2 of them actulally) never did come close to hitting anyone all night.

In the bottom of the seventh with the Visitors up 2-1, the leadoff hitter was hit in the ribs with a fastball. I imediately issued warnings to both teams. I regretted issuing the warnings as soon as I did it. I think the previous inside pitches as well as the trash talking had put me in a position where I jumped the gun. Obviously in hindsight, he was not throwing at the batter on purpose in the bottom of the seventh in a one run game.The game ended with a 2-1 score.

Having said that, do any of you decide to issue warnings if there is one more pitch that is questionable? Or, do you wait and see what is going to happen and then make up your minds on the possible intent of the pitcher?