Ever Seen This Before?

Rufus · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Oct 24, 2011, 12:18pm

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.

MD Longhorn · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Oct 24, 2011, 02:31pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rufus

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?

Rich Ives · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Oct 24, 2011, 02:45pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rufus

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.

In OBR he only has to be touching the plate.

ozzy6900 · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Oct 24, 2011, 04:02pm

And how do you know exactly when the pitcher is taking his signs?
Is the catcher calling the game or the coach?
Did you know that there is no penalty for taking signs off the rubber?

Rufus · #5 (**permalink**) Tue Oct 25, 2011, 06:32am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

And how do you know exactly when the pitcher is taking his signs?
Is the catcher calling the game or the coach?
Did you know that there is no penalty for taking signs off the rubber?

Because he would lean over his front leg and squint into see the signs just like a pitcher would who has engaged the plate "normally"
Coach relayed signs to catcher
Yes, having had to explain that rule many times to team parents during games, but my concern wasn't so much with that. It was more for the sake of our baserunners not knowing when he was/wasn't engaged. He didn't try anything sneaky in terms of a pick-off, though, so it didn't affect the game. Just, like I said, thought it was odd and had never seen something like that before.