Giving a batter time

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I don't allow left handed batters

Of course, I always use the outside hand, hand opposite the batter, the hand same as the batter, whatever you want to call it.

One of the teams I had yesterday has taken great strides in equalizing th enumber of irght-handed and left-handed batters in their lineup. last year, they had 1 token right handed batter - now they have 2.

[0balls2strikes]

This is directly from the NCAA dierctor of umpires:

Granting Batter’s Request for ‘Time’

-The batter should be granted Time when the umpire thinks it is necessary and appropriate.

-Batters should not routinely be given Time whenever she asks for it.

-You are NOT wrong to deny granting Time when the batter is uncomfortable in her stance, and the pitcher still has time left.

-The batter should NOT be given Time if there are no apparently unusual circumstances.

Realize that the game situation may be an appropriate reason to grant Time. An extreme example: bottom of seventh, score visitor 1, home 0, home team has not had a runner past first all game and batter hits a triple. The pitcher may shake off more signals than usual and need a little time. Or, same situation, but two outs and batter hits a double and home team brings in a pinch hitter. This hitter may need some time. Good game management requires that umpires recognize this to be a normal flow (or normal break in flow) and grant Time accordingly.

When a batter requests Time, and you are not going to grant it, say something positive like: "The ball is in play," or "We are still playing,” Stay in there,” or “Keep playing." If the plate umpire responds with the word "No," while not incorrect, it is can be misinterpreted by the pitcher or catcher to be the beginning of "No Pitch."

The umpire’s tone needs to be firm but not mean.