situation r1 on 2b bu in slot betwen 2b - 3b. batter in box with hand up for time pu hand up granting time pitcher has steped on pitchers plate properly (ie: hands seperated took singal from catcher brought hands together) batter drops hands pu drops hand pitcher preceds to seperate hands and pitch. fed rules coach wants no pitch or illegal pitch. pu rules all ok. coach say pitcher can not have hands together while pu has hand up. don't seem to find any thing in rb or case book that indicates this not ok since pitch does not start till hands seperate. any commints?

As long as F1 allowed batter to get reasonably set, and PU to put ball in play, I've got a no call.

If F1 starts pitch before either batter is set or ball is put in play, then its a "quick pitch" (6-2-3b) or no pitch as the ball is dead. Either way all action is canceled (no pitch).

Roger Greene,
Member UT

Coach's argument has no merit. The umpire is suspending play. Anyone, including the pitcher could be doing headstands during this period as long as the pitcher is prepared to continue play when the umpire and batter are ready.

thats how we ruled it thanks for verifing our thoughts

thanks again for reenforce my belife on this ruling. i am pu at chmp game of 5a regional before game same coach comes to me and says " before we start lets get on same page. the pitcher can not have hand together while you have time on batter." i ask him why not? he says " pitch starts when hands come together and it is a no pitch if pitcher starts pitch during time." i tell no pitch starts when hands seperate. he says you need to read rule book. i say i did and you are wrong and today we are going to call it this way. he mumbels of and never says anything about it the rest of game. thanks for the extra cofidence.