Batter delay - ASA

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by DaveASA/FED

This is a funny thing with timed games. Both teams lollygag around for 4 innings then one team all of the sudden thinks they need that extra inning to do what they have not done all game!

All the more reason I like the Time + 1 inning rule.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

All the more reason I like the Time + 1 inning rule.

I like Time+1 too ... but it's a tourney killer - especially with all the rain we had and the problems that created regarding getting all the games in.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

I like Time+1 too ... but it's a tourney killer - especially with all the rain we had and the problems that created regarding getting all the games in.

Not at all. You just shorten up the time. If you were running 75 min + 1 inning, change it to 60 min + 1 or whatever time the tournament has available.

[Dakota]

Couple of things (one already mentioned):

1) Speaking ASA, just call the strike, don't call for the pitch.

2) Players are allowed to do normal things normally, even in the last minute of a timed game. If a player suddenly develops the need for a long ritual between each pitch as the time is running out, it is proper to put a stop to it. And, besides, this takes you out of the fans' line of fire on the delaying - they'll direct it to the opposition, where it belongs, anyway.

[SRW]

Originally Posted by Dakota

1) Speaking ASA, just call the strike, don't call for the pitch.

Point of clarification - call Dead Ball, then Strike. 7.4.J-Effect

[umpinill]

Doesn't the rule book properly cover the amount of time that the defense or offense is allowed between pitches. Why would this change because one time is now trying to use their alloted time to "delay" the game? As an umpire I have seen all the tactics to delay a timed game. Do I allow the tactics, sure do as long as the rules allow me to put a stop to it at the proper time. I do not hurry up the game because team A now has to catch up in the final minutes of a game, team B has the same rights from the first pitch to last pitch of the game.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by umpinill

Doesn't the rule book properly cover the amount of time that the defense or offense is allowed between pitches. Why would this change because one time is now trying to use their alloted time to "delay" the game? As an umpire I have seen all the tactics to delay a timed game. Do I allow the tactics, sure do as long as the rules allow me to put a stop to it at the proper time. I do not hurry up the game because team A now has to catch up in the final minutes of a game, team B has the same rights from the first pitch to last pitch of the game.

I agree in general, but it is interesting that the intentional delay rule does not state that the tactics used to delay must be illegal, only that they be "noticeably designed to delay." (ASA 5-4-E)

While ASA has never gotten too close to the edge in providing interps for this rule, my interpretation has been what I noted above - doing normal things normally, where previous behavior during this game is one guide to what "normally" means. Sudden changes in behavior would seem to be "noticeable" - which is the standard of the rule.

[3afan]

Originally Posted by umpinill

Doesn't the rule book properly cover the amount of time that the defense or offense is allowed between pitches. Why would this change because one time is now trying to use their alloted time to "delay" the game? As an umpire I have seen all the tactics to delay a timed game. Do I allow the tactics, sure do as long as the rules allow me to put a stop to it at the proper time. I do not hurry up the game because team A now has to catch up in the final minutes of a game, team B has the same rights from the first pitch to last pitch of the game.

AGREE - the rules of the game do not change after the 'two-minute warning' ...

but letting the pitcher pitch when the batter is not looking? i'd avoid that, thats asking for trouble ...