Ever Seen This Before?
 

Former coach whose son played in a 13U scrimmage yesterday. The opposing pitcher for the second game did not engage the front of the pitcher's plate when getting signs or pitching, but maybe placed his right toe on the very back left edge of the plate (portable mound so no "dugout" in front of the plate). At first it didn't appear he was engaged at all while receiving and/or pitching, but he never did try to quick pitch or deceive/pick-off in any way other than pitchers normally do when they engage the front of the plate.

The PU questioned him about it and he said he was touching the plate (only one umpire working for the scrimmage).

Anyone ever see something like that? I've not had a chance to review any rules on it but I'm thinking if he's engaged with any part of the plate he's ok. Definitely a first for me as either spectator or coach.

While getting signs? Huh?

In OBR he only has to be touching the plate.

If he's not on the rubber, you're looking at a balk for this.

For what?

Derp. Was thinking without the ball.

Sigh....

Another simple rule (and this one without a penalty) and everyone wants to complicate everything. We as umpires do not know when the pitcher is taking his signs because we are not inside the pitcher's head. Maybe its a sign, maybe it's not. We as umpires shouldn't even get involved unless a manager is raising a question and then we should be setting everyone straight. We should only be watching for the quick pitch or any other illegal moves that the pitcher may commit that would result in a safety issue or a balk.

Read the way the FED rule is written.

Really? I suggest you do the same ... and/or quote where it differs from what Ozzy said.

Read it several times. Why I said read the way it is written. I personally think it contradicts itself, but you're the expert on everything.

Some say it is a balk, some say it isn't. Caio, bella............:cool:

Cool - didn't know that.

If the book says it's a balk, it's a balk. If it doesn't, it's not. What in this rule makes you think this is a balk?

Rules of making a Peanut Butter Sandwich.
1) You must put peanut butter on one slice of bread.
2) You must put the 2 pieces of bread together.

So, if I put peanut butter on my spoon, lick the spoon, and then put peanut butter on one slice of bread, followed by putting the pieces of bread together... have I now successfully made a peanut butter sandwich? Or did my tasting of the peanut butter first turn my sandwich into something else?

Now you're just being insane. Take a gander at 6-1-0. I believe it says pitching regulations start when the pitcher toes the rubber.

6-3-0 discusses balks and mentions taking signs off the rubber.

I think it condtradicts itself about pitching regulations and balks. I'm in the camp it isn't a balk. Others say it is.

Not sure I have the right rule citations, but I don't care. Now go make yourself a peanut butter sandwich, take a deep breath to calm dowm, READ them and see what you think, and quit trying to be a pain in people's behind.

However, if this was on a FED test, they would more than likely say it is a balk.

Hmmm... I've been nothing but cordial to you. Why is it that any conversation anyone has with you degenerates like this? Insane? No... and you kind of made my point for me. Yes - pitching regulations start when the pitcher toes the rubber ... so how in the world could what he's doing BEFORE toeing the rubber be a balk? That was my point with the sandwich. I know what I think. And for the record, until you started , I was completely calm.