important interpretation - SP

[ronald]

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.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by ronald

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.

[DeputyUICHousto]

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.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

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.

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.

[ronald]

Shoot,

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

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by ronald

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).

[NCASAUmp]

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.