NFHS Warm up pitches
 

How many warm up pitches under NFHS rules? My understanding is 1 minute to throw not more than 5 pitches (unless excused from this requirement due to actions of the umpire).

I have seen a lot of umpires enforcing 3 pitches each inning after the first.

They have a maximum of 1 minute from the last out to the first pitch to the leadoff batter of the next half inning. Try timing it sometime, by the time the teams change sides, throw 3 warm ups, throw the ball around and the batter gets in the box it is right at 1 minute if they are hustling. The umpires are simply enforcing the 1 minute between inning and keeping the game moving.

If they are not ready to play but have to have a conference, then I reduce the number of pitches from 5 to 3 or to 1.

I agree with the time, the issue is how they are enforcing it. When you flat out say, you have 3 pitches, you are not enforcing the time rule, but are enforcing a rule different than what is in the book.

I actually did time the breaks today while on the bases and we were averaging about 1:30 between half innings with two teams that did hustle on and off. This was with an umpiring allowing 5 pitches.

Thankfully the games only went 5 and a half. It was 15-0 and 21-0 for the two games and even with a slightly longer time period between innings were done in just over 2 hours (including the time between games).

You just proved to yourself even when a team is hustling they are taking 50% more time than allowed by rule throwing 5 pitches. The umpires saying 3 pitches have simply realized that is approximately the number of pitches that can be completed in 1 minute and rather than go into a lengthy explanation about 1 minute between innings they just say 3 pitches. The rule also does not guarantee 5 pitches, it says 1 minute to throw not more than 5.

It isnt that big a deal in a non timed game except for dragging the game out longer, but it does become a huge deal in timed games. You get both teams taking an extra 30 seconds between innings and that could be up to 6 minutes of wasted time in a 7 inning game. Add in all the players having to huddle up and high 5 each other, hip bump and dance and you are easily talking a full inning of wasted time that could have been played.

I find that when a team hustles, they can get the 5 pitches in within the time limit. It is the ones that don't hustle that I restrict.

From the last pitch of the previous half inning?

I'm one who really doesn't care as long as the teams are not dragging it out, but it usually takes 10-15 seconds for the pitcher to just get to the circle.

Something I picked up a while back....During a game with time limits between innings, I always make sure I cover it at pre-game: "One minute between innings, and we're on a clock. I want to make sure as much of that as possible is spent playing ball."

After the 3rd out, once the first defender is on the field, I start counting in my head. When I get to 35 or so, I tell the catcher to take it down to 2B, regardless of the pitch count. If they want to huddle by the dugout, I start counting then.

Never had a problem with game speed doing this. I usually joke with my partners after pregame "See you in an hour and a half." before taking our spots on the field. When we play against 1:45 time limits, I try to play my 7 innings in that hour and a half.

Not a bad idea, but I try to avoid rules at the plate meeting (other than lineups, legal equip, ground rules).

Doesn't 35 or so deprive the pitcher of at least one pitch.

I never tell the catcher to throw down, that's her option, just let her know "last pitch" or "one more".

I never joke about time, to avoid the teams feeling like that's my only priority.
Bad story about that, but too long to type.

philosophy: practice pitches help the pitcher throw more strikes in live play.

TeeBob21 "gets it", especially at the JV level. 5 in the 1st inning, 3 after that if there is time. Move the game along. The players, coaches, and fans have no complaints.