Game/Time management

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Dakota

True, but what I was referring to is the umpire calling for the pitch when the batter is not ready / in the box. It is unnecessary and a safety hazard. Just warn / call the strike.

In that case, yes, you're absolutely right. If the batter doesn't take their position within 10 seconds, "strike!" If they've stepped into the box, gotten ready, then start that darned dance with the pitcher, I'll tell them to step in once I see the pitcher ready. If they don't... strike. But if the pitcher and batter are ready, pitcher starts the pitch, and THEN the batter steps out, I call the pitch as though the batter never left. If the batter is too stupid to stay in the box when they're supposed to and they get injured, that's their problem. Darwin strikes again.