Charge a Conference?

[ODJ]

Today, after the batter walks, catcher calls time.
AC takes a few steps out of the dugout and tells the catcher some code words for the defense. "Now go tell them", he says.
Catcher then goes to the mound and is joined by the infielders to confer for about 15 seconds.

Would you charge this as a defensive conference? I didn't but it got me to wonder.

[thumpferee]

No

[MD Longhorn]

By definition, yes.

[Rich Ives]

If he yelled from the dugout instead of taking a step out would you charge a conference?

He's just giving signs verbally. He's not delaying because F2 already is at the mound and that in itself isn't a cionference.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

If he yelled from the dugout instead of taking a step out would you charge a conference?

No

He's just giving signs verbally. He's not delaying because F2 already is at the mound and that in itself isn't a cionference.

It is specifically stated that if the manager speaks with a player, and that player then speaks with the pitcher, it's a visit.

OBR, at least.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

It is specifically stated that if the manager speaks with a player, and that player then speaks with the pitcher, it's a visit.

OBR, at least.

You mean this:

Rule 8.06 Comment: If the manager or coach goes to the catcher or infielder and that player then goes to the mound or the pitcher comes to him at his position before there is an intervening play (a pitch or other play) that will be the same as the manager or coach going to the mound.
Any attempt to evade or circumvent this rule by the manager or coach going to the catcher or an infielder and then that player going to the mound to confer with the pitcher shall constitute a trip to the mound.

It's not just speaking. There needs to be traveling. There was no "going to" by the manager and the players were already on the mound. The conditions were not met. Not a conference/visit.

If you adhered to your "speaks to" thought you'd charge a visit every time the manager or coach yelled something to the players from the bench. Not gonna happen.

[RPatrino]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

No

It is specifically stated that if the manager speaks with a player, and that player then speaks with the pitcher, it's a visit.

OBR, at least.

So anytime a manager/coach yells from the dugout, by rule/definition, you are going to charge a conference? Wow, that will game will almost be as quiet as when I used to do California School for the Deaf games.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by ODJ

Today, after the batter walks, catcher calls time.
AC takes a few steps out of the dugout and tells the catcher some code words for the defense. "Now go tell them", he says.
Catcher then goes to the mound and is joined by the infielders to confer for about 15 seconds.

Would you charge this as a defensive conference? I didn't but it got me to wonder.

Not much different than the 3rd base coach sending signals to the batter.

If the coach and F2 met, then F2 went to the mound, then this would be charged.

[MD Longhorn]

Where does the OP say that he shouted from the dugout? OP says TELLS, which to me, implied some sort of private conversation. Obviously, if he's yelling things out that the defense can hear, it's not a conference, and I was not replying to that situation. (In fact, when Rich asked if I'd consider it a conference if the coach yelled, I would not consider it a conference).

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Where does the OP say that he shouted from the dugout? OP says TELLS, which to me, implied some sort of private conversation. Obviously, if he's yelling things out that the defense can hear, it's not a conference, and I was not replying to that situation. (In fact, when Rich asked if I'd consider it a conference if the coach yelled, I would not consider it a conference).

"Tells" isn't the requirement. "Goes to" is the requirement.

[CVLLBlue]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

"Tells" isn't the requirement. "Goes to" is the requirement.

What do you have if the Coach calls F2 or any other player over to the dugout, never calls time or leaves the dugout. Can the player be committing the "Goes to"?

[thumpferee]

The way I always saw it, is if the coach has a direct conversation with a player and then that player attempts to go to the mound, I'll stop him and let the coach know he's going to be charged a conference when his player gets there.

Same thing when a pitcher is hurt. That's why we attend the conference to make sure he's not taking advantage.

[thumpferee]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Where does the OP say that he shouted from the dugout? OP says TELLS, which to me, implied some sort of private conversation. Obviously, if he's yelling things out that the defense can hear, it's not a conference, and I was not replying to that situation. (In fact, when Rich asked if I'd consider it a conference if the coach yelled, I would not consider it a conference).

I see where the confusion lies. I took it as though the coach just stepped out of the dugout and yelled vs came out of the dugout and conferred with the catcher. The OP was a little vague, but from the other responses we took it differently than you.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by thumpferee

I see where the confusion lies. I took it as though the coach just stepped out of the dugout and yelled vs came out of the dugout and conferred with the catcher. The OP was a little vague, but from the other responses we took it differently than you.

I agree.