Was I being a OOO?
 

Boys V game. Pitcher threw from the stretch with no runners on, came set all but once, and I got him for it. It was instinctive and the words "that's an illegal pitch" came out my mouth.

Should I have called this, or was I being a OOO?

I thought a pitcher did not have to become set while in the stretch with no runners on base.

Did he "quick pitch" the batter? If he quick pitched the batter, then call it. If not, some may let it slid. HTBT

-Josh

Rule 8.01 b
 

Rule 8.01(b) Comment: With no runners on base, the pitcher is not required to come to a complete stop when using the Set Position. If, however, in the umpire’s judgment, a pitcher delivers the ball in a deliberate effort to catch the batter off guard, this delivery shall be deemed a quick pitch, for which the penalty is a ball.

I believe FED rules requires the stop. The first time I noticed it, I would have sent the catcher out and have him remind the pitcher to stop.

When in Rome
 

The NFHS does describe this as an illegal pitch. You were correct in the letter of the law.

I would pay attention to how your local area views this non-essential ruling.

Not OOO just could be other ways to handle it.

Regards,

What if a girl pitched?
 

Thanks for telling us this was a boys game. Makes all the difference.

Answers to questions.

No
Yes

I don't care about the what the univac says 6 1 3 penalty says.

Agreed, there are probably other ways to handle it without making a big deal out of it.

Thanks
David

This is one of those fed rules that should be thrown out IMHO. There is no advantage gained by the defense. I don't know of anyone I work with that would call this. If as mentioned he is quick pitching, then you have a problem to deal with. Otherwise, I would ignore it, maybe tell the catcher, hey, just for the record that is illegal in high school baseball. That will usually get the coach out between innings asking for clairty on your comment to his catcher. If the offensive coach comes out, simply tell him you will/have been giving his pitchers the same courtesy.

and it complete BS that a coach even deserves a clarify response...he knows exactly what his pitcher is doing...man I hate that when coaches ask dumb questions like that

I saw this once in a state playoff game.

The opposing coach came and asked me about it, but I let it go because he did it on EVERY pitch. He never mixed it up. He did not quick pitch at all. He waited until the batter was in, got his sign, and then started his motion.

Ironically, with runners on base, the guy took a long pause.

I had a couple of batters who took too long to fix their gaze on the pitcher, combined with a pitcher who rocks and deals without much of a delay. So when those two batters were setting their feet and looking at their bat label and so on, I put my friggin' stop sign up until the batters were ready. After a few times, the guy paused longer. No big.