How do you handle batters time?

[whiskers_ump]

I normally handle it this way. No one can do anything
until you, "THE UMPIRE" are ready. When I see everyone
ready, I take the position. Keeps the arms from tiring.
If batter not ready and in box, just step back. Usually
(more often than not) pitcher will not attempt to throw
until she sees the umpire ready to call it.

[FUBLUE]

Had a situation involving this last night.

Great ball game 2-1 home team ahead in top of seventh. Coach brings in relief pitcher (actually #1) to throw gas by all the batters. First pitcher had a great rhythm...waited until batter was ready, took signal, then went. Second pitcher was is a fast worker. She gets the ball back and wants to throw again.

I held up my had twice in the first 6 innings. I had to hold it up every pitch in the top of the seventh. If she doesn't see the hand, she pitches. She doesn't start until the hand it down.

So I went 6 innings with 2 "hand holds" and in the last 1/2 inning I held it up about 20 times.

[CecilOne]

Originally posted by Andy
Cecil - Just food for thought here...do with it what you will!

I was taught not to hold the hand up every time in these situations. If the batter walks into the box with her hand up or wants to get set up, I take a look at the pitcher to see if she is ready to pitch. If not, I don't do anything. If the pitcher looks like she is ready or real close to being ready, then the hand goes up. As FUBLUE stated, read the situation.

I was told that if you hold the hand up every time, it becomes part of the landscape and no attention is given to it. If you just put the hand up when necessary, the pitcher is more likely to notice it.

I was trying to quickly disagree with varying by the level, the "gentleman's agreement", pitcher working fast, etc.; not just holding up my hand for no reason. By every time, I meant every time the batter isn't ready and the pitcher is in position. I gues that is somewhere in between Andy and FUBLUE.

As food for thought, that was delicious.