FP pitch height

[Tru_in_Blu]

I worked a modified game last week where the pitcher threw a change-up. The pitch had a perceptible arc and at the mid-point between pitcher and homeplate was clearly above the batter's head. However, it passed through the strike zone and I rang up the batter on a called third strike.

The offensive coach claimed that the pitch was illegal because it was over a height of 6 feet. I told him that it still passed through the strike zone.

After the game we had some additional, friendly discussion on the call and the coach seemed to think that it was a league bylaw as opposed to an ASA rule.

I looked through the on-line rules that I have, but the only references for pitch height relate to slow pitch.

In this particular league [company intramural level] there aren't many pitchers than are accomplished so many times someone who can just lob the ball in to avoid bases on balls ends up "pitching". In a lot of these cases, these lobs are over the batters' heads. Let's assume the average batter is 6' tall as a reference point. I can't be calling all these pitches illegal.

Does anyone have any specific rememberances of a fast/modified-pitch height limit?

Also, if you have a hint on how I could search for previous posts on this subject. I tried and obviously didn't get what I was looking for.

Thanx all...

Ted

[Dakota]

Speaking ASA (or any other rule book I am familiar with...) there are no arc limits for fast pitch or modified pitch. You won't find this specifically addressed in the rules (because it is not an issue). A fast pitch / modified pitch pitcher can pitch with any arc they so desire.

Now, your league rules? That is another matter entirely.

[Skahtboi]

Dakota is correct in his interpretation, and you were correct in ringing the batter up. Seems the coach was the only one not quite up to speed!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Dakota is correct in his interpretation, and you were correct in ringing the batter up. Seems the coach was the only one not quite up to speed!

This may have been the perfect scenario which would permit an ejection for stupidity.

Well, maybe the second perfect right behind the leader, a coach telling an umpire that "I'm going to talk to the UIC" during an argument on a judgment issue.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

This may have been the perfect scenario which would permit an ejection for stupidity.

Well, maybe the second perfect right behind the leader, a coach telling an umpire that "I'm going to talk to the UIC" during an argument on a judgment issue.

ROFLMAO
That sounds just a bit familiar.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Steve M

ROFLMAO
That sounds just a bit familiar.

That tournament had some good moments and that was one of them.

That guy gaves us a couple of good stories and I'm riding that horse until I die.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

That tournament had some good moments and that was one of them.

That guy gaves us a couple of good stories and I'm riding that horse until I die.

Yeah - that DID have some good times. And I've used the guy as an example of dumb coaches a time or 2.

The coach of the team that won it just signed on as the new coach at one of the local D3 schools.

[greymule]

I've also had players in some modified leagues claim some sort of limit on the arc. One guy insisted that "the pitch can't have more than 3 inches [!] of arc." Another said that the ump in the "other" modified league he plays in told him that the pitch can't rise over the batter's head.

But there are no restrictions on the arc in modified. And all claims that there were special house rules turned out to be false (though the players who made the claims actually did think the rules existed).

[bluezebra]

I worked a 'modified' FP league in the late '60s-early '70s in the San Fernando Valley. The only restriction on the pitcher (in my memory) was there could be no 'windmill' windup. The strike zone was normal, and no arc was required, or restricted as to height.

Bob

[Tru_in_Blu]

Getting back with an update... I sent a note to our UIC and to the League President asking if there was a bylaw that specified pitch height.

The UIC concurred that there was nothing in ASA to that effect, which agrees with many of the replies posted here. The League President also replied stating that there were no bylaws that would supercede ASA rules on this subject.

I worked a couple of games tonight, but the coach of the team who made the original claim wasn't there tonight. It's a DE format until the final two teams. His team was in the winner's bracket 7 days ago. I'm not scheduled for next weeks games, but will probably end up doing the final series. So if his team makes it that far, I'll be sure to re-educate him on the pitching regs.

Later,

Ted

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

...So if his team makes it that far, I'll be sure to re-educate him on the pitching regs.

Later,

Ted

I probably would not bring it up. If he brings it up again, then explain the rule. Otherwise, let past games stay in the past.

[Tru_in_Blu]

I think it's important that the coach has a clear expectation of what will be called a strike or an illegal pitch. He may already have had a conversation with the League President.

My point is not to rub it in his face, but to clarify the rule. He's obviously mistaken or confused about this rule, perhaps things get blended together from a slow pitch league he might be involved in, I don't know.

Could be he'll walk up to me before the game and tell me everything is clear as a bell for him now. But if that doesn't happen, I'll clarify and set expectations. No sense going through a game that one team thinks I'm not doing something properly.

I'll call it a pre-emptive deflection.

Ted

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I probably would not bring it up. If he brings it up again, then explain the rule. Otherwise, let past games stay in the past.

Agree, otherwise it shows your doubt and puts him in a lesser status.