Did I answer correctly?

[Justme561]

In the dressing room following some games last night was asked a question by a fellow umpire that I believe that I answered correctly BUT it never hurts to ask for other opinions.

Situation: NFHS rules - pitching change during an inning.

While the pitcher is taking his eight warm up pitches 6 or 8 offensive players are outside the dugout swinging bats. They are all further away from the plate than the on-deck circle and they all have on helmets.

My Answer: I told him that I couldn’t think of any rule against doing that. When I got home I looked in the rule book and the case book (that’s the extent of my high school reference library) and couldn’t find anything.

[johnnyg08]

I don't see an issue with that. I also don't think there is a rule preventing it during the warm up.

[CT1]

3-3-1j: A player shall not be outside the designated dugout (bench) or bullpen area if not a batter, runner, on-deck batter, in the coach’s box or one of the nine players on
defense.

If additional players want to "warm up", they can go outside the fence.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by CT1

3-3-1j: A player shall not be outside the designated dugout (bench) or bullpen area if not a batter, runner, on-deck batter, in the coach’s box or one of the nine players on
defense.

If additional players want to "warm up", they can go outside the fence.

+1 --- absolutely not allowed in NHFS. Personally, I wouldn't allow this "kiddie-ball crap" in any game.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by CT1

3-3-1j: A player shall not be outside the designated dugout (bench) or bullpen area if not a batter, runner, on-deck batter, in the coach’s box or one of the nine players on
defense.

If additional players want to "warm up", they can go outside the fence.

No mention if the ball was dead as it was in this case.

[Justme561]

Originally Posted by CT1

3-3-1j: A player shall not be outside the designated dugout (bench) or bullpen area if not a batter, runner, on-deck batter, in the coach’s box or one of the nine players on
defense.

If additional players want to "warm up", they can go outside the fence.

I'm embarrassed to say that I read right past 3-3-1j and missed it. Thanks again for the help, I'll pass it along to the other umpire.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

+1 --- absolutely not allowed in NHFS. Personally, I wouldn't allow this "kiddie-ball crap" in any game.

It is customary, in my experience, to have two players taking swings during warm-ups...the player who will be the batter, but it isn't yet, and the player who will be on-deck, but isn't yet. I have seen, at times, three and since this is a deadball situation, and none of them are close to the plate or dirt circle, I have no problem with that.

[RPatrino]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

No mention if the ball was dead as it was in this case.

Probably because it doesn't make any difference. Don't allow it.

[jicecone]

Gentlemen, sometimes you just have to umpire. As PU everyone better be in place when I say play and make the ball live.

[Dave Reed]

Taken literally, 3-3-1j would say that players can't go to (as opposed to already being in) the bullpen, there can't be a batboy, players can't chase foul balls, etc.

The casebook heading for 3-3-1 is "Leaving the dugout/bench during a live ball", and it says the intent of the rule (presumably 3-3-1a) is to limit offensive players from flooding the plate area. I'm dubious that 3-3-1j applies between innings or during an in-inning pitcher change.

Even during live balls, other folks besides those mentioned in 3-3-1j are authorized to be outside the dugout. For example, it specifically says that the batboy is OK, and that players can go down the foul line to the bullpen.

[johnnyg08]

I wouldn't pick the boogie...esp w/o rule support.