Keeping the pitcher loose
 

I worked a 10U game today as a favor for an assignor.

Today's temps hovered around 90 degrees, accompanied by high humidity.

In the third inning of the game of the catchers started having some trouble breathing. He's asthmatic and needed his inhaler. Of course I hold up play so he can seek the attention he needs.

The catcher's father then informs the manager that his son needs to be removed from the game. I'm all for this and tell them to take the time they need to make sure the catcher is taken care of.

The manager then tells CJ to get his gear on. As CJ is getting ready the manager decides that he needs to keep his pitcher's arm loose. Let me reiterate, it's 90 degrees and humid. The pitcher currently in the game entered in the top of the inning and had thrown about 12 pitches and already the sweat is pouring off of him.

As the pitcher is now throwing to keep loose I can't help but think he'd probably be much better served with a towel and a drink.

Not your problem! If F1 wants to toss to another infielder while the new catcher is gearing up, it's not your place to say anything. When the new F2 arrives, I would give him a couple of pitches (three at the most) and then get the game going again.

Try to remember, you are not a coach or a mommy - you are an umpire!

If "CJ" wasn't already in the game, he gets 5 throws (under OBR).

Ozzy, where did you read that I said anything? The manager manages his team as he sees fit. But that won't stop me from making observations.

For Bob - Absolutely. If the catcher wants to take a few I don't have a problem. My comment was about the fact that the pitcher is throwing to keep loose while the catcher is getting his gear on. We all know how long it takes for a 10-year old catcher to get his gear on, once he finds it all, of course. And during the 3 minute break the pitcher is throwing, and throwing, and throwing.

Uhmmm, that rule is for F1's not F2's.

Walt, your "observations" gave me the impression that you were looking for a way to "play mommy". Sorry, but that is the way it seemed to me.

Isn't the second part of the comment to 3.03:
for everybody but F1?

8.03 gives an F1 entering due to injury gets as much warm-up as the UIC believes necessary.

Regards,
Andrew

Yes it is, and that's the rule to which I was referring. Maybe I misread the play.

Ozzy, I'm sure you see lots of thinks, like I do, that make you wonder. Only in the most ridiculous case would I say something. For the record, I haven't yet seen that in 18 years of calling baseball games.

btw - This is another reason why I hate working this level.

And this is reason that I do not!

Sorry if there was confusion. After your explanations, I see that I misinterpreted the OP.

In 30 years, I've never had a request for more than the 3 throws that I have been allowing. I'll have to keep this rule in mind in the future.

Personally, if the sub needs more than 3 "warm up" throws (other than F1), the sub needs to find another sport!

Ozzy 3.03 comment

Any player other than a pitcher substituted for an injured player shall be allowed five warm-up
throws. (See Rule 8.03 for pitchers.)

Hey Oz, you might also look at 3.03 comment, in case 2 or 3 other posters haven't already posted that info.:mad:

No blood, no foul.

Party on, Garth.

Garth gave up on the forums...........


Tim.