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Mon Aug 02, 2004, 02:30pm
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During the PONY 18-U quarter finals last week in Raleigh, I'm behind the plate with the score tied and we are in the bottom of inning ten during ITB play.
One out with runners on second and third base. First pitch comes to the batter and bounces three times before it reaches the plate. I have ball one. Second pitch comes in and it also bounces several times. I have ball two. This was the first game of the morning so I'm thinking, ball might be slick so I ask the catcher if the ball is wet, she says no, we're walking the batter. As the third pitch is on it's second bounce toward the plate I signal and call an illegal pitch, batter makes no attempt to hit the ball. I then award a ball to the batter, and advance the runners. As the runner from third touches home plate I declare "folks, that's the ball game!" At the time I didn't remember the exact section at the time, but it's Rule Seven, Section five Defensive coach is going nuts wanting to know why I called an illegal pitch. I explained that he could find his answer by reading rule seven in the 2004 PONY Rules and Regulations manual. Sure hate to end em like that but I call em as I see em. Life is like a big hot dog, and every day's a bite. Someday's you're just hungrier than others. Michael 
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Mon Aug 02, 2004, 04:33pm
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Quote:
The Pitcher shall not deliberately drop, roll or bounce the ball while in the pitching position in order to prevent the batter from striking it. Effect: An illegal pitch. The ball is a delayed dead ball. A ball is called on the batter and any runners on base shall advance one base from the last base occupied at the time of the pitch.
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Tue Aug 03, 2004, 08:48am
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I called a GISA (Georgia Independant Schools) game last year with a similar scenario, different outcome. Using ASA rules. Winning run at 3B visiting coach asks if he has to pitch to the batter, I told him "yes, they must be legally delivered pitches". He looked at me as if I were crazy and asked what I meant. I told him catcher must start in the box, pitcher must use legal mechanics and such. My partner overheard him tell his pitcher to just roll the ball to the plate! Maybe I should have left it alone, but I pulled him aside and told him "coach, if she rolls, or bounces the ball to keep the batter from hitting it that will be an illegal pitch and runner from third will score". This guy went ballistic, "I've been umpiring for 18 years" he yelled. I replied, "you should know the rules then". He then told me if I called that he would protest. I just replied "let's play ball". They did "pitch-out" and walk the next two batters, but the very next pitch was wild, run scores, game over.
I was set to call the IP, but didn't need to. I guess the coach who had been umpiring for 18 years wasn't as sure of his rules knowledge as he thought he was! BTW Michael VA200, Not sure about pony, but in ASA, the IP you called would not be a ball on the batter, it's a delayed call, no-pitch.
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Tue Aug 03, 2004, 11:30am
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An IP is always a ball on the batter unless the IP is ignored because of the all runners advance exception.
A pitch can not be illegal and no pitch. No pitch means that nothing happens.
__________________
Officiating takes more than OJT. It's not our jobs to invent rulings to fit our personal idea of what should and should not be.
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Tue Aug 03, 2004, 11:39am
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__________________
The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball.
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Tue Aug 03, 2004, 12:27pm
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Quote:
But not aware of any association where an IP is a no pitch. If you are going to call an IP a no pitch, then why bother with the delayed call? Serg
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Tue Aug 03, 2004, 05:51pm
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Don't know where I was when I posted! Hope I led nobody astray. Pardon my confusion, I have these spells ocassionally. I think I had my BB hat on, but wouldn't have got that quite right either....must be time for my nap!
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