I know I asked this question a couple of years ago but I can't recall the answer. Twice this week when I was plate ump and we were finishing the pregame my 60ish partner ( 2 seperate ones ) asked both coaches " and do you reserve the right to use a courtesy runner?" Both partners said to me later "you can't forget to ask that one".

Where does this come from? I mentioned my partners' ages only because I thought this is left over from past rule change or something. I said privately to them that the question wasn't necessary but they insisted that it was and I really didn't want to rock the boat. Any ideas?

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LJ,

I am 60ish, but know that that question is not necessary.
I may remind the coach that when the catcher or pitcher are on
base and we have two outs, that CR is an option
open to him/her, but only during the initial pre game
conference. This is so that they can have the catcher ready
when the rest of the team takes the field. "Speed up movement".

The only time you need to ask about CR is when the pitcher or catcher get on base and you see them leave the base-running to someone else.
There is no such pre-game rule and there never was. However, many umpires reminded the coach to tell them when it happens to prevent confusion, but that seems unneeded anymore.
Please help your partners to seem more professional and knowledgeable for their next 15 years.

Any 60ish umps, please take no offense. As I said I was just thinking that maybe there was a rule change a while back that I wouldn't have known about. In 15 more years I'll be 60ish and I hope I'm still going strong.

Glen,

I'm sure it was just your fingers hitting the wrong keys, but the CR can be used anytime for the Pitcher or Catcher, not just with two outs. LOL

Bob:

I think what Glen was saying was that when there are two outs and a pitcher or catcher are on base, he may take the time to remind the offensive coach that the option to use a CR is open to them, in order to get the catcher or pitcher ready for the next half inning. In other words, to speed the game up so there are no delays when it comes time to take the field. I don't think that he was implying that with two outs was the only time a CR option was available. At least, that was the way I read it!

Thank you Scott.

Del-Blue, guess I should have been more selective in the
way I posted. I just hate it when there are two outs and
the catcher is on base and the inning ends. Most catchers
are slow enough putting on the equipment. Just trying to
utilize a time control option.

CR is great when it is the catcher----
didn't the NCAA have a "speed up " rule where
the catcher could be replaced by the player who
was the last out ?? I worked some D-2 and
D-3 ball where that was used.

Actually, if memory serves correctly, the "two out" caveat use to be the rule when it was first put into place to give the catcher and pitcher time to get ready to go back on the field.

Not that I can recall - but's that's only over the past 10 years or so. If this was in "fall" ball, maybe so as that's very different.

Glen,

After re-reading your post again, I see what you were saying, that with 2 outs and the P or C on base you might remind the coach.
I also hate it when the C is on base, and the coach doesn't use CR for her. Sometimes they think they have all day to get ready.

I agree, and what get's me more, is that often no one else gets out there to warm up the pitcher. There are four coaches standing around, six girls in the dugout, and they just stand there.

That being said, I have to mention something I saw last week. Had the catcher on base (HS Varsity game) when third out is made. I believe she was on second. By the time she hit the dugout, there were four other girls there looking like a NASCAR pit crew---one for each shin guard, one for the chest protector and one with the mask and the glove. From the last out it took MAYBE 20 seconds before she was taking the first warm up pitch. I complemented the coach...he said nothing burns him more than to see a catcher putting on their stuff and other girls goofing off in the dugout. (He's a former catcher, I take it).