Extremely Quick Pitcher
 

I need advice as a coach/new umpire.

In a recent game the opposing pitcher was taking the throw back from the catcher with his pivot foot on the pitcher's plate and immediately going into his set position....quickly taking the sign and delivering the next pitch. We complained but got no relief. Batters would have their hand up when stepping into the batters box and pitcher would start delivery before he could get both hands on his bat.

I was the 3rd base coach and my batters had no time to get any signs. The umpire somewhat tried to slow him down, but he gave up as the pitcher continued to do this the whole game. Many times our batters were not ready for the pitch. Several times he was set when a new batter approached the plate and started delivery as soon as he stepped in the box.

1. How do I handle this situation as a coach?

2. How do I handle this situation as an umpire? What are the any rules that address this situation?

Rule 8.05(e) Comment: A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter’s box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted.

Try and reason with the umpire. If that don't work have your batter take their signs out of the box and step in only when ready. Besides that, if the umpire does not want to control the game, your basically screwed. Report the umpire to the league or his assignor. But, by all means don't get thrown out for it, because NO ONE will listen after that.

Sounds like a quick pitch to me. 8.05e for OBR, 6-1-1 for FED.

1. As a coach, instruct batters to place one foot on the far edge of the batter's box (away from the plate) and the other foot out of the box to get a sign. After a sign is given move quickly into position and hope PU is doing his job.

2. The umpire "somewhat tried to slow him down, but gave up"? PU is not doing his job. He should allow batter to become reasonably set before allowing pitcher to pitch. Hold palm up to pitcher (no pitch sign) until batter is set and then point to pitcher. If he throws before getting permission call a ball for the quick pitch. If he does it again call it again. By now the HC will be coming out to either you or him and if to you you can explain to him that his pitcher is not going to be there very long if he don't stop quick pitching.

Since you've never lost an argument with an umpire...what have you found in the rule book on your own regarding quick pitch?

We tried to reason with him. Being I didn't remember the exact rule and and the ump told us it was his judgment call....we couldn't argue. We were screwed....now that you bring it up.....I lost that one!! Next time however, thanks to your help.....I'll win it.

I have never seen it this extreme....however as an ump, I will enforce it.

most umps will not allow the quick pitch...it's PU's job to control the pace of the game, not the pitcher...I will typically work with my catcher...w/o anybody else in the stadium even knowing or hearing...I tell the catcher..."let him get set," "let him get set"...sometimes, I'll even tell F2 "go out and tell him to let the hitter get set," sometimes I'll say to F2..."I'll give you the same courtesy when you're hitting" I know it's a rule, but sometimes it helps to just talk to them and not rule book them.

johnnyg08,
Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it. It sounds like the best way to handle the situation if the pitcher is just working fast and not doing it intentionally.

If it is intentional and the manager has coached him to do it as in this case.....I'll call the quick pitch.

thanks for the help everybody.

The first time it happens, I'll call time before the pitch and tell the pitcher (rather sternly) "don't pitch until the batter is in the box and looking at you." If he persists, I'll bust him for it. Don't allow the quick pitch. It really is dangerous.

Only at the upper levels is it probably intentional. Either way, I handle it the same.

I tell the catcher that it's his responsibility to not give the signal until the batter is ready. If not, I'll balk (or ball) it.

I had a game earlier this year that we must have called a dozen quick pitches. The pitcher loved to try to sneak one in and the coach blamed nobody but the pitcher. "You know they aren't going to allow it, so why do you keep going it"

-Josh

I have a question for consistency of mechanics.

Do you allow the pitch to complete? Then, call "Time" and say something like "Quick pitch. That's a ball/balk."

Or, as soon as the pitcher starts, call "Time" and say "Quick pitch. That's a ball/balk."?

Basically, is a quick pitch a DDB or stop it immediately and assess penalties?

It's not a quick pitch unless it's a pitch. So I don't call "time" first. That said, what happens next depends on the code.

OBR: With no runners, the pitch is a ball no matter where it is. With runners, it's a balk, live ball until the end of playing action, then enforce the balk.

FED: With no runners, the pitch is a ball no matter where it is. With runners, it's a balk, dead ball, enforce the balk.

I have no quarrel with your analysis mb. I also have never had to deal with this at HS varsity and above. They know better than to quick pitch a batter.

At lower levels, I will call time to prevent it. It is usually innocent, but dangerous nonetheless. The last thing I ever want is to have a 16 year-old look up just in time to see a fastball about to hit him in the face, with no time to react.

I can see issues with doing it before he actually delivers a pitch. The PU doesn't know if he will deliver the pitch or pickoff a runner.