Warmup pitches

[DonP]

Last night between innings, the first baseman on his way to his defensive position, stopped at the pitchers circle, picked up the ball and took two warm up pitches to the catcher. The pitcher, who was the last one out of the dugout came out and was ready to start the inning when the opposing team protested that the first baseman must deliver at least one pitch since he took the warm up pitches. I have reviewed the rule book and can find no reference to this. Direction please...... Thanks

[JefferMC]

If a coach goes out to warm up the pitcher while the catcher gets her gear on, does he have to catch a batter, too?

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by DonP

I have reviewed the rule book and can find no reference to this. Direction please...... Thanks

There is no such rule in ASA. Whose rules were you using?

[HawkeyeCubP]

Originally Posted by DonP

Last night between innings, the first baseman on his way to his defensive position, stopped at the pitchers circle, picked up the ball and took two warm up pitches to the catcher. The pitcher, who was the last one out of the dugout came out and was ready to start the inning when the opposing team protested that the first baseman must deliver at least one pitch since he took the warm up pitches. I have reviewed the rule book and can find no reference to this. Direction please...... Thanks

From poking around on the baseball board occassionally, I believe that it's a rule in that sport - not sure about softball - possibly in FED? I don't see anything addressing the issue in the ASA book. And thank goodness for that, since it's common in leagues I work (SP) where a fielder other than the pitcher will grab the ball from near the PP and deliver an unlimited-type arc pitch on the way out to their position.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeCubP

- not sure about softball - possibly in FED?

No, not there, either.

I don't know OBR well enough to say whether this is a BB rule. If it is, it may also be a LL softball rule.

[BuggBob]

it is a USSSA rule. At least it was on the test. The "new" pitcher must face one batter.

Bugg

[CecilOne]

IF the position change has not been reported to the PU, it didn't happen.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by BuggBob

it is a USSSA rule. At least it was on the test. The "new" pitcher must face one batter.

Bugg

Are you sure? USSSA requires that a relief pitcher face at least one batter, but the crux of the question is, does a player tossing a couple of pitches to the catcher from the pitcher's plate between innings mean that player is now a relief pitcher?

[Bluefoot]

In ASA SP...

Would these first 2 warmup pitches by F3 count towards the three total alotted the defense by rule 6 (SP) Section 8 - Warm Up Pitches, or do you still give F1 no more than 1 minute to complete no more than 3 additional warm up pitches of his own?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Are you sure? USSSA requires that a relief pitcher face at least one batter, but the crux of the question is, does a player tossing a couple of pitches to the catcher from the pitcher's plate between innings mean that player is now a relief pitcher?

According to the USSSA SP Rules Book, yes. The rule can be found under 5:3:B:4 and 5:3:d. It states:

"A player or a substitute shall be considered in the game...If a pitcher, when he occupies the pitcher's plate and delivers a practice pitch. (5:3:b:4)"

"Each pitcher whose name is entered on the original lineup, or who is announced as a substitute pitcher, or who takes a position on the pitcher's plate and delivers one practice pitch, must then pitch to the first batter facing him until that batter has completed his turn at bat, or the side has been retired. (5:3:d)"

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by BuggBob

it is a USSSA rule. At least it was on the test. The "new" pitcher must face one batter.

Bugg

Only in USSSA SP, not in FP.