conferences

[shipwreck]

Most rule books state that if the defensive coach uses a charged conference, the offensive coach can talk to their player as long as they end it when the defensive charged conference ends and they won't be charged a conference. Flip it around and it is the same way. How about if say the catcher asks for time to talk to their pitcher. It is not a charged conference. Can the offensive coach talk to their player or players at this time and not be charged with an offensive conference? Everbody I ever work with says yes as long as they end it when the catcher and pitcher are done, so as not to delay the game. I cannot find any rule though to support this, either in ASA or NFHS. Can you help? Dave

[Dakota]

That would not be a charged conference because it does not meet the definition of a charged conference.

ASA Rule 1 - Charged Conference

CHARGED CONFERENCE: When a team representative requests a suspension of play or delays the game for the purpose of delivering a message to another team member.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

That would not be a charged conference because it does not meet the definition of a charged conference.

ASA Rule 1 - Charged Conference

Now apply the definition to the rule. A defensive conference is between a team representative from the dugout with any defensive player.

An offensive conference is between a team rep (mgr/coach/scorekeeper/dad, whatever) and a batter, runner or another team rep. These are limited to one per inning.

So, I don't believe a catcher talking to the pitcher is a conference as it would pertain to rule 5.7, therefore there should be no exception for the offensive staff.

[AtlUmpSteve]

I'm not sure I followed your thought process here, Mike. Are you saying it is an offensive conference if the offensive coach talks to a player during a time out requested by the defense if the defensive conference isn't a charged conference?

My perspective and training follows Dakota's thought process. The offense did have a team rep talking with an offensive player, but 1) that team didn't request the suspension, and 2) didn't delay the game. As long as they hold their discussion during the time granted to the defense, this isn't a charged conference to either team.

In other words, any team representative can talk to any team member during any suspension of play caused by the umpires or the other team, as long as 1) they did not request the suspension, and 2) they did not delay the restart by their conversation, without that discussion being termed a "charged conference". This isn't just an exception, as I understand it; it is part of the rule (the request and/or the delay).

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

I'm not sure I followed your thought process here, Mike. Are you saying it is an offensive conference if the offensive coach talks to a player during a time out requested by the defense if the defensive conference isn't a charged conference?

My perspective and training follows Dakota's thought process. The offense did have a team rep talking with an offensive player, but 1) that team didn't request the suspension, and 2) didn't delay the game. As long as they hold their discussion during the time granted to the defense, this isn't a charged conference to either team.

In other words, any team representative can talk to any team member during any suspension of play caused by the umpires or the other team, as long as 1) they did not request the suspension, and 2) they did not delay the restart by their conversation, without that discussion being termed a "charged conference". This isn't just an exception, as I understand it; it is part of the rule (the request and/or the delay).

To start, forget about the "charged conference". Tom was talking about a pitcher-catcher discussion. According to 4.7, this is not a charged conference unless joined by someone from the dugout.

According to RS#9.B, it specifically states that it is not an offensive conference when a team rep confers with a batter and/or runner(s) during a defensive charged conference. Well, a pitcher/catcher talk is not a defensive charged conference according to 4.7.B or RS#9.A, therefore the exception noted doesn't apply.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not looking to eject the coach. However, if I turn around and tell the coach that he cannot be talking to his batter or runners not on the base adjacent to where that coach may be stationed, I'm going to expect the coach to immediately return to their position whether I'm ready to put the ball into play or not.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

TAccording to RS#9.B, it specifically states that it is not an offensive conference when a team rep confers with a batter and/or runner(s) during a defensive charged conference. Well, a pitcher/catcher talk is not a defensive charged conference according to 4.7.B or RS#9.A, therefore the exception noted doesn't apply.

True, that exception does not apply, but whatever the offense was doing, it was not a charged conference, since it did not meet the definition of a charged conference. IOW, the exception noted in RS 9 is not really needed.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not looking to eject the coach. However, if I turn around and tell the coach that he cannot be talking to his batter or runners not on the base adjacent to where that coach may be stationed, I'm going to expect the coach to immediately return to their position whether I'm ready to put the ball into play or not.

My question (and issue) is why you would tell the coach he cannot talk to them. He has not requested you suspend play, he is not delaying the game. He is not have a "conference"; he is talking to his player during a stoppage. What rule is he violating?

Let's start at the "nth" degree and work back, perhaps. If there was an injury stoppage, and while the defense was attending to that injured player, and a new picher had to warm up, would the offense not have the right to talk? I think everyone would allow that. Now, just an injury stoppage checking the status of players that collided, we would allow the offens eto talk, right? So, working backwards, there is no reason why either team should be limited from having a discussion during any stoppage they didn't request, as long as they don't delay the restart.

Let's be the protest committee on that one. As the coach, I protest your refusal to allow me to talk to my batter during a stoppage requested by the defense. Or I protest your decision to make that a charged conference when I ended as soon as you said "Let's Play". What rule would you apply that states I cannot do that?