Umpire Mechanics

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I disagree. Would you not enforce the LBR during this "momentary" period? After all, you just stated it is a "dead ball". Cannot have an LBR violation during a DB period.

The signal is described in the ASA umpire manual as "Holding up Play" not "Holding up the Pitcher." Play is play, isn't it?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

The signal is described in the ASA umpire manual as "Holding up Play" not "Holding up the Pitcher." Play is play, isn't it?

Did you not just post on another thread about taking the wording of a rule book literally?

So, you would not enforce the LBR during this period since that, too, could be considered PLAY. Good luck with that DC.

[Andy]

I've always been taught that holding up the hand to the pitcher should be used judiciously.

It you are doing it between every pitch, it soon becomes part of the background and has a better chance to be ignored.

Most pitchers will wait until the batter is set to begin their delivery. While this is not always true, the umpire can gauge this as the game goes on and stop the pitcher when necessary. This is also very dependent on the level of ball you are calling as well. As you move to higher levels, you should almost never have to stop a pitcher to allow a batter to get set. So when you do hold up your hand, it is a different sight and is more likely to be noticed.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Andy

I've always been taught that holding up the hand to the pitcher should be used judiciously.

And it should be. No doubt about that. But there are times when it absolutely has to be used!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Andy

I've always been taught that holding up the hand to the pitcher should be used judiciously.

Absolutely.

It you are doing it between every pitch, it soon becomes part of the background and has a better chance to be ignored.

Most pitchers will wait until the batter is set to begin their delivery. While this is not always true, the umpire can gauge this as the game goes on and stop the pitcher when necessary.

The only time it goes up a lot is when you have an Energizer Bunny-type of pitcher that just keeps going UNTIL you stop them.

This is also very dependent on the level of ball you are calling as well. As you move to higher levels, you should almost never have to stop a pitcher to allow a batter to get set.

In FP, yes. In SP, not necessarily especially if you have a team that plays multiple sanctions and will do whatever they can to catch a batter or throw off their timing. Never understood it, as it is a slow pitched softball and should make no difference, but that isn't the way it works.