PU-Throwing Ball Back to Pitcher-Let the Players Play the Game

[Kevin Finnerty]

Ozzy ...

Ahem ...

It is in the umpire's job description to get a ball to the pitcher as soon as possible. If throwing it himself can accomplish this, and he's willing and capable, he can and should do it if he's so inclined.

And the liability question could possibly be a concern with a Little Leaguer with a lawyer dad, but come on ... a geezer throwing a ball to an accomplished athlete is not dangerous.

If you can throw a ball 60 feet with 99 percent accuracy, and look like a non-girl when you do it, then throw the ball back to save time if you want to. If you throw like a girl, or you make the pitcher reach too much, give it to the catcher. No big deal.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Ozzy ...

Ahem ...

It is in the umpire's job description to get a ball to the pitcher as soon as possible.

Here it is Ozzy, just in case you missed it.

9.00—The Umpire.

9.04
(a) The umpire-in-chief shall stand behind the catcher. (He usually is called the plate umpire.) His duties shall be to:
(1) Take full charge of, and be responsible for, the proper conduct of the game;
(1a) The plate umpire is responsible to get a ball to the pitcher as soon as possible
(2) Call and count balls and strike;
(3) Call and declare fair balls and fouls except those commonly called by field umpires;
(4) Make all decisions on the batter;
(5) Make all decisions except those commonly reserved for the field umpires;
(6) Decide when a game shall be forfeited;
(7) If a time limit has been set, announce the fact and the time set before the game starts;
(8) Inform the official scorer of the official batting order, and any changes in the lineups and batting order, on request;
(9) Announce any special ground rules, at his discretion.

[RPatrino]

Actually, you are not even throwing the ball 60 ft. most times. The pitcher usually comes half way to the plate to recieve my throws, after I uncork a few...those knuckleballs are unpredictable.

[JPaco54]

Is the rule you quoted part of the LL rules...Cause I missed it somewhere...In the copy of the rule book I have, OBR 2008 edition, Rule 9.04 (a) 1(a) must have been left out...or maybe there is an updated version....

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by jicecone

Here it is Ozzy, just in case you missed it.

9.00—The Umpire.

9.04
(a) The umpire-in-chief shall stand behind the catcher. (He usually is called the plate umpire.) His duties shall be to:
(1) Take full charge of, and be responsible for, the proper conduct of the game;
(1a) The plate umpire is responsible to get a ball to the pitcher as soon as possible
(2) Call and count balls and strike;
(3) Call and declare fair balls and fouls except those commonly called by field umpires;
(4) Make all decisions on the batter;
(5) Make all decisions except those commonly reserved for the field umpires;
(6) Decide when a game shall be forfeited;
(7) If a time limit has been set, announce the fact and the time set before the game starts;
(8) Inform the official scorer of the official batting order, and any changes in the lineups and batting order, on request;
(9) Announce any special ground rules, at his discretion.

Translation: What Ozzy said was funny as hell. After laughing, I cleared my throat, thus the AHEM.

Then, to address the original topic, I wrote what I wrote. Sorry the term "Job description" was too literal for you, and sorry that it seemed that I was in conflict with Ozzy.


SHEESH!

[GerryB]

I was told the story in 2000. Not sure how much before that it occurred.
And, I don't feel the liberty to go with names. Sorry.

[Bishopcolle]

Originally Posted by GerryB

I was told the story in 2000. Not sure how much before that it occurred.
And, I don't feel the liberty to go with names. Sorry.

If it happened, it is public record....no need to worry about disclosing something is part of the public record......

[JPaco54]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Translation: What Ozzy said was funny as hell. After laughing, I cleared my throat, thus the AHEM.

Then, to address the original topic, I wrote what I wrote. Sorry the term "Job description" was too literal for you, and sorry that it seemed that I was in conflict with Ozzy.


SHEESH!

You guys are great...needed a laugh today, stressful at work and some family stuff going on...I did not want to LOL so I put an LQ in there in case I embarrassed myself again. You have to learn to laugh at yourself and not to take all this stuff seriously unless we are referring to actual rules help.. Steve, great comment...I did not know that nor can I even think that quick anymore, "seperate keys for the batter's box." I guess I know I am in trouble these days when my partner tells me at the pre-game meeting as I struggle to read my notes that I have my glasses on backwards and my ball bag is on the wrong side. With my Navy and Merchant Marine background I should know how to play and take pratical jokes. I believe the military and frat orgs are the experts. For new personnel on board ship, their first assignment was to send themo down to the engine room, usually about 6 stories (decks) down and get a bucket of steam, bring it top side and don't spill any. They would usually get down to the 4th deck and realize they had been punked!

Y'all have a great day and thanks for all your comments. We all have developed some techniques to improve the flow of the game and manage the game a little better, and even if it does not state in the rules to get the ball back in play timely, we all want to enhance the game. I like Steve, used to be able to throw well but now I can not trust myself. I will assist the catcher at times but just can not toss real well. Anyway, enough with this post.

I heard a preacher one time state these words after he lost his train of thought during a sermon and I kinda picked up on it now when I have some brain fog or when the situation gets confusing..."Just do what ya do Lord, just do what ya do"! I just have to avoid saying this when calling a bang bang play.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by JPaco54

I like Steve, used to be able to throw well but now I can not trust myself. I will assist the catcher at times but just can not toss real well.

Actually I can still throw a seed back at the pitcher, it's just once in awhile it gets away, usually due to my chest protector, and for an umpire, that is once too many.

[Tim C]

"If it happened . . . "

This is the critical issue. At least now I have some information: I know the state where it happened, about when it happened and the name of one of the people involved.

This time of year it is nearly impossible to get information from the NCAA but I am trying to find their record of this happening.

[Forest Ump]

Love these threads

179 days until HS Season.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Translation: What Ozzy said was funny as hell. After laughing, I cleared my throat, thus the AHEM.

Then, to address the original topic, I wrote what I wrote. Sorry the term "Job description" was too literal for you, and sorry that it seemed that I was in conflict with Ozzy.


SHEESH!

SHEESH!

Lighten up Kevin.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Ozzy ...

Ahem ...

It is in the umpire's job description to get a ball to the pitcher as soon as possible. If throwing it himself can accomplish this, and he's willing and capable, he can and should do it if he's so inclined.

And the liability question could possibly be a concern with a Little Leaguer with a lawyer dad, but come on ... a geezer throwing a ball to an accomplished athlete is not dangerous.

If you can throw a ball 60 feet with 99 percent accuracy, and look like a non-girl when you do it, then throw the ball back to save time if you want to. If you throw like a girl, or you make the pitcher reach too much, give it to the catcher. No big deal.

I can't throw worth a crap anymore so I haven't for the last 20 years. But I can replace an out of play ball within 5 seconds by handing it to the catcher (I let him throw it back). How's that for ya?

But beside all of that this is still a boring thread!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

But beside all of that this is still a boring thread!

Most of them are, but we take what we can get!

[TussAgee11]

Foul ball that F2 gives chase, I open gate and go with him. We end up 20 feet away from each other, F1 standing around the plate area.

I'm flipping it to F1.

Ball to the backstop during warmups, I'm flipping to F1 from the foul line. I'm not going to flip 30 feet one way so F2 can throw it 60 feet another.

If F2 is in front of me, I'm handing. He wants to keep his guy in a rhythm. I could keep him in one if I wanted to, my arm is pretty good, but that's his job, not mine.

As for the athleticism Tim pointed out, I didn't know that history. These days, I'll prove that athleticism by getting to the 45 foot line on a ground ball when the fat @$$ catcher never moves a muscle from behind the plate