Ten Seconds...

[Andy]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

...3) I wish those of you already on fields in warmer climates would stop rubbing it in, at least until March 13th...

Sorry Cecil...that's one of the reasons I live in a warm weather state. So I can rub it in in the winter time.

Although, it is raining and dreary here today....

BTW....Worked a tournament this past weekend, HS practices start today, scrimmages next week, games the week after that.....

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by Dakota

It seems to me that NFHS went overboard on this one. What I like about the ASA rule (and conversely dislike about the NFHS rule) is in ASA the 10 seconds starts when the umpire instructs the batter to get into the box, whereas NFHS starts the 10 seconds when the pitcher receives the ball. Calling a strike on the batter when the pitchers is not ready to pitch just seems wrong.

Tom,

I understand your perspective, but doesn't the NFHS rule stop the 'game' playing between the pitcher and the batter; each of them stepping out because the other one isn't ready?

The pitcher gets 20 seconds from the time she receives the ball. If she wants to putz around outside of the circle, that's up to her. The batter gets 10 seconds to get in the box and be ready. If the pitcher isn't ready, the batter can relax until the pitcher steps on the plate.

I don't think I will be dictatorial with enforcing the rule, but I certainly will put the onus on the batter to be ready if I start having issues.

The real problem will be with the coaches - those that think they have to give 30 different signs to tell a batter to take a pitch.

[JPRempe]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Personally, it sounds like you might be overzealous in the application of this rule. You called four of these in one game?

Here are comments on this rule change from the NFHS web site:

TIME REDUCED FOR BATTER TO BE IN BOX (7-3-1): A batter must take her place in the batter’s box within 10 seconds after the ball is returned to the pitcher. Previously, she was permitted 20 seconds. The intent of the rule is for the batter to be ready to step into the batter’s box and take her turn at bat in a timely fashion. To abuse this rule by excessive waiting or prolonged signaling from the coach, disconcerts the pitcher and is not the intent of the rule. The committee felt that 10 seconds gives the batter ample time to receive signals, get in the batter’s box and wait for the pitch. The pace of the game will be enhanced when batters comply with the 10-second rule.

Note the intent of this rule: To keep the game moving along in a timely fashion, not to bang out batters on cheap strikes.

I believe that it is better to first warn or remind batters to "get in the box". Hold off on the penalties until after your warnings have been issued if the players continue to abuse the rule. Keep this rule in your back pocket and use it only as a last resort.

My partner and I had a discussion with the coache before the game. We explained the rule at length. Incredibly they were not familiar with the new rule. They seemed to completely understand it at the meeting.

He covered the rule in pregame, and his association wants them to enforce the rule. The warning was before the game, therefore no further warning was required (IMHO).

I can see giving a warning if it took the batter 11 or 12 seconds to get back into the box, but not even moving towards the batter's box by the time 10 seconds was up pretty much makes it cut and dry in my mind.

That, and any pregame conversation/rules violations are just bad coaching...