How many warm up pitches?

[UmpireErnie]

I agree Dakota!

Here in The Last Frontier we have no special local rules for warm up pitches so we just go with the 5 pitches or 1 minute rule (ASA/NFHS). I will tell both of my catchers "Don't wait for us to tell you, take charge and call Balls In after 4 pitches". Then I monitor that when I am not busy between innings by counting the pitches. It is usually self enforcing, and I am not counting seconds or looking at my watch.

But if the team is slow coming out on the feild, or F2 was on base and nobody else comes out to warm up F1 I will use the 1-minute rule to goose em along. "Half of your minute is gone, Team, let's husle out!" Then maybe call "Balls In" after only one pitch. Slow teams will get the idea after an inning or two.

Some coaches try to hold a big team conference outside the dugout between innings. If this is the defense the same tactic works.. "Only one minute between innings, Coach, and it's half gone! Better put 'em on the feild!"