throws by pitcher during substitution delay
 

First time seeing this in a Fed game. Offensive coach calls time to report a substitute to the plate umpire. While this is going on, the pitcher starts throwing to his third baseman. It was not a long delay (maybe 30 seconds). I'm sure he has been doing this all season. Is this legal?

Why do you think it might not be?

Rich:

The poster asked a question: "Is this legal?"

Why couldn't you answer the poster's question instead of asking another question?

MTD, Sr.

Teaching fishing.

During a non charged timeout such as the OP suggests for a team manager to report substitutions, there aren't restrictions on player activities.

If the player wants to throw to stay warm, do pushups, run to the centerfield fence and back, gather with his teammates and discuss who is taking whom to the prom, or most anything else, it is legal. As long as they are ready to play after the timeout has concluded.

Playing catch with the 3rd baseman is not only legal, but very traditional.

Of course, when I say anything... that does not include things that are specifically prohibited: unsporting conduct, doctoring the baseball, etc.

There are some restrictions, of course.

Again, I am a softball umpire, so the rule may be different. The rule in softball says the pitcher has 1 minute to deliver 5 warm up pitches, any after 5 result in a ball to the batter for each after 5. These also is an exception if the umpire is involved in a conference (such as this would be). In softball I would say no problem, and I would assume this rule would be similar in baseball. Since the umpire is involved in a conference, the pitcher would be allowed warm up throws (in this case to 3rd baseman, which would count as warm up pitches before an inning).