Submission for quote of the year, 2006

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Probably correct, if you are working a 12U rec league game with some pitcher who can barely pitch as it is, they are probably warming up the way they pitch and its probably ok to let the catcher or coach between innings - but I think at any decent level or travel ball you shouldnt be "coaching".

Agreed.

The pitchers that pitch illegally during warmups tend to be either very experienced (leave 'em alone), or inexperienced / rec level (you may want to mention it to the coach). And, in either case, in any tournament play that matters, leave 'em alone. If they are playing there, they should know the rules.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Agreed.

The pitchers that pitch illegally during warmups tend to be either very experienced (leave 'em alone), or inexperienced / rec level (you may want to mention it to the coach). And, in either case, in any tournament play that matters, leave 'em alone. If they are playing there, they should know the rules.

As teams first make the transition from high school to ASA travel, I do remind pitchers who warm up with NFHS mechanics "two feet on the pitching plate here". Not much else; that one is too much of a "gotcha", IMO, to leave unsaid.

[blu_bawls]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Piggyback thought. Ever wonder why, in ITB, it is the responsibility of the umpire to advise the teams which runner starts at 2nd base. Or why, if the wrong runner is used, the runner is simply replaced without penalty??

Because the umpire has the official lineup card!!

Actually you can do that without a lineup card. You check the official book.

Now I don't see anywhere where the expression "official" is used to describe the lineup card. The only thing I find is official book.

Please advise.

[blu_bawls]

OK. Asa says it is. What does NFHS say?

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by blu_bawls

OK. Asa says it is. What does NFHS say?

NFHS 3-1-3

... Lineups become official after they have been exchanged, verified and then accepted by the plate umpire during the pregame conference.

Emphasis added.

Looks like NFHS agrees with ASA.

I think this entire discussion has gotten way out of hand in order to attempt to decide something that is basically common sense. Why would you let someone do something illegal, when you have the ability to stop them? Although some may feel that there is a thin line between 'coaching the coach' and 'preventative umpiring', I don't believe that informing the coach that they are attempting to do something illegal is outside our scope as impartial judges of the contest.