Ten Seconds...

[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.