important interpretation - SP
 

At a clinic yesterday, I learned that when the umpire judges a pitch (sp) to have excessive speed, the umpire is to declare a dead ball immediately. I wondered about this because the rule book says it is an illegal pitch and ddb. I was informed by Sergio that this came out of the UIC clinic and the reasoning is that the speed of the pitch creates a dangerous situation.

I don't remember hearing that, though I wouldn't doubt that someone would say this.

However, I believe it is wrong. I am not going to tell a player that the ball they just hit 325' doesn't count because the pitch was too fast. Also, I don't believe there is anything in the rules to support such a ruling.

Huh?
 

I don't remember hearing that either. The "penalty" for excessive speed on a pitch is simply an illegal pitch with a warning to the pitcher...any subsequent violations would result in the pitcher being removed from the pitching position.

I second this interpretation. I'm not going to kill the play unless I either have:
A) a rule to back me up or
B) a condition that would justify it or
C) a rule to back me up

When in doubt, always go with C. :D

Shoot,

I hope someone clears it up, cause it came from the Central Atlantic Region UIC. He kept saying it.

If that's the case, that's very surprising, considering he's an SP guy (like myself).

Is it possible that he meant "suspend play immediately after the pitch is done, and then warn the pitcher?" Possibly emphasizing that the umpire should nip it in the bud? Or was he adamant that the play must be killed right away?

If the pitcher is truly pitching with enough excessive speed that it becomes a safety issue, the likelihood that the umpire would even be able to kill it before the pitch arrives is pretty small.

I have very little experience, but I find it hard to pitcure how a ball with an arc have enough speed to be dangerous.

He said dead ball, immediate. I was going to ask him about it but a guy at the table who went to the UIC clinic said it came that was the new interpretation from Oklahoma.

That's just it. Every now and then, you get a pitcher who tries to be cute and throws a pitch like they're playing MP, not SP. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.

That usually gets a VERY quick and harsh reaction from me. I don't have a face mask on, and I'm pretty sure the catcher has no clue it's coming. VERY dangerous. :mad:

Don't buy it. Not only is there nothing to support such an interpretation anywhere, it makes no sense.

Oh, BTW, the reasoning (dangerous) is absolutely absurd since killing the ball is NOT going to stop it's flight or alleviate any perceived danger.

If the umpire is pitching, then we issues other than excessive speed. :eek:

I know not of what you speak. :rolleyes:

Hey, I used to pitch, once upon a time!

Okay. Straight from me.

Yes, I did say that it is a Dead Ball. But I said that ONLY AFTER hearing it from our Regional UIC (at the same clinic ron was at). And believe me, I was also surprised since I know that the rule book says it is a warning to the pitcher and a ball to the batter. And there is no mention anywhere about killing it right away. And yes, the question was repeatedly asked of him and he kept saying that it is an immediate dead ball. And no, I do not remember hearing at the National UIC Clinic that it is an immediate dead ball. Like I said, this past Saturday was the first time I heard this. As a matter of fact, when someone asked me about it, I told them that I had never killed it immediately. I had always called it a delayed dead ball and would use the word ILLEGAL.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled session.

More than 30 years ago, when I was playing, an umpire called my pitcher for excessive speed. When my pitcher argued that the arc was proper, the ump replied, "Yes it is. But within the arc, the ball is moving too fast."

I think we're all in agreement that according to the book, the ball is not dead, the IP is called, and the warning is given to the pitcher as per 6-3-G.

So let's take a step back here and talk more generally. If you're at a clinic and the clinician says something that is clearly inconsistent with what's spelled out in the rule book, what do you do? Correct them? And to what end?

I beleive someone misunderstood what was said. I know in our session it was said that excessive speed was dangerous and someone was going to get hurt you needed to put a stop to that right away. I could see that being heard as make it a dead ball immediantly but that is NOT what was said, at least not in my group.

To NCASAUMP's question, that is a hard issue to handle. I think it depends on who the presenter is to how you would handle it gracefully. When you know they are wrong and they are spreading the incorrect ruling how do you politically correctly get the correct interpretation spread?? I don't have the answer there but I know what I do is at the first break I have my book and ask them to explain what I am missing because they stated "XYZ" and when I read the rule is says "ABC" help me understand what I'm missing. This works for people that aren't as approachable or I don't know that well makes me look like I am trying to learn and understand instead of telling them they are wrong! Has worked well in the past, has also still made people mad, but usually it leads to a restatement or clarification after the break!

I am interested in how others have had success dealing with this type of issue in the past, I will stay tuned :D

There was a mispeak about excessive speed being a dead ball immediately. I spoke with the person in question using Dave's language.

Thanks, Ron

Thanks for the followup, Ron! :)

Call Time after the Play has ended. In the meantime call "Illegal" and award a Ball, or let the play continue if the ball was batted.
After time has been called warn the pitcher for excessive.

Agreed.

Spencer, where ya been?? :)

You know I do not really know!!
Got into a bit of coaching with our international Schools, now head coach at Marymount International School.
Given up slowpitch umpiring as of this season, and concentrating on trying to get GB umpires for our growing fastpitch league/s
Got the New London Cup tournament coming up May 27th - 30th

You shall see/ hear more from me this season!:)