when does a conference begin ?
 

Bottom of the 7th inning. Defensive coach takes a conference. Then about 4 batters later , the other coach comes out and asks the PU if he can have a time out. Then the coach crosses the foul line in front of 3rd before PU can stop him. Big hooting and hollering about now he has to change Pitchers caused he "crossed the line."

PU gets together with coach and then he just talks to F6. So PU said he didn't need to change his Pitcher cause he only talked to F6. PU announced this for all to hear.

1. Was this handled right for NCAA ?

2. FED ?

3. ASA ?

I was under the impression a conference was a conference-didn't matter who coach talked to.

ASA - A coach is going to push it as far as it can... the correct mechanic begins after the first conference, making sure he is fully aware that that IS his charged conference. Beyond that, i got me a new pitcher.. hopefully f6 can pitch! lol

Speaking ASA,

Unless this was the 4th conference of the game, there is nothing here. The defense has 3 conferences available and may use them at any time. A conference is any time play is stopped for ANY member in the dugout leaves the dugout to confer with ANY player on the field or any player which approaches the dugout for directions. The only time it would not be a conference is if the manager/coach informs the umpire of a pitching change prior to entering fair territory.

DOH! I got my conferences confused.. in any case, I always make sure I let the coaches know when they use their O/D conferences.. I.E... when the Base coach just wants to talk "real quick" with their batter, I let them know it is their conference.

NCAA

Conferences
SECTION 11. a. Charged defensive conference.
1. There may be only one charged defensive conference per inning.
Exception: On each pitching change when the pitcher has not yet
pitched in the inning, one additional conference is permitted.
Note: Conferences are not cumulative.
The plate umpire shall notify the head coach when a defensive conference
has been charged and record the inning on the team's lineup card. A charged
defensive conference begins when the team representative(s) delays the
game or suspends play to deliver a message to the defense, and ends when
the team representative(s) returns to the dugout.
EFFECT—The umpire shall not permit more than one defensive
conference per inning. The team representative(s), who holds
or attempts to hold another charged conference, shall be
immediately ejected.
Exception: The following are not charged defensive conferences:
1. Giving instructions from the dugout area to the defense without
requesting a suspension of play.
2. Requesting a suspension of play in order:

a. To remove the pitcher from the pitching position (provided the
umpire is informed of the change before the representative steps
over the foul line) or to make a defensive substitution.
b. To confer with the defense during a charged offensive conference
or during a suspension of play.
Note: The defensive team may be charged with a defensive conference
if not ready to play after the umpire’s declaration.
c. To attend to an obviously incapacitated player.
d. To attend to a potentially sick or injured player. The process must
be supervised by an umpire.
e. For a defensive player to make an equipment change.

Paul

Rule was changed this year. No longer contains "attempt to hold". Thank goodness.

does not matter - F6 is playing defense, so its a defensive conference ... unless, when PU & coach spoke the coach indicated he was going to check on an injury, and then he preceeded to do only that

NFHS, ASA, USSSA-Three defensive conferences per game. So, like Mike said, if this wasn't the fourth of the game, then you have nothing.

NCAA-1 conference per inning. If I felt that he had imparted instructions to F6, then we have us an ejected coach.