Pre-game warmup question

[Dakota]

Maybe I'm not understanding what is being asked, either.

[RadioBlue]

Sorry. Maybe I'm not being clear. This didn't happen in my game as I was merely asked my opinion about the legality of such action. Let me try this one more time.

Prior to the game. Team A, including the pitcher and catcher, takes the field for infield/outfield practice, infield/outfield warmups, fungoes, etc. While the coach is hitting infield/outfield practice (or fungoes, if you prefer), Team A's pitcher is throwing pitches to her (Team A's) catcher while on the field from the actual (game) circle from the actual (game) pitcher's plate to the catcher positioned behind the actual (game) home plate. Neither the pitcher or catcher (both from Team A) are involved in the fungoes being hit by the coach of Team A. Neither the pitcher or the catcher (again, both of Team A) are involved in any of the throws that are being made by their Team A teammates during the infield practice. The Team A pitcher is simply using the actual field has her bullpen while her Team A teammates take infield practice.

I offered my opinion there was no prohibition against this. The state association has since responded to this umpire's association directly deeming this a safety issue and for umpires not to allow this.

I was just curious what the fine folks on this board thought. (Apparently they think I can't explain a situation very thoroughly.)

[Tru_in_Blu]

Games I've done usually have a lot going on just before game time. Typically I'll see pitchers/catchers warming up outside the field area. Some fields accomodate pitchers warming up on the outside area of the backstop, others down the foul lines. Usually catchers like to have a fence behind them to corral some of the wild pitches. On occasion, I've had to instruct catchers to put their masks on. Some mildly protest saying they're outside the field. I tell them the bullpen is part of the field.

Then there are two types of on field warm ups. Some involve all players at their regular positions and the coach will hit balls to both infield and outfield. Sometimes, pitchers are included in this and they get a few ground balls or bunt hits to field. Outfielders throw to various bases.

The other type has infielders and outfielders split. OF is down a foul line with a coach hitting fly balls to the CF area. In tournament play, this may be done by both teams at the same time. Then, infielders are fielding ground balls, turning 2, catchers fielding bunts, etc.

I don't recall seeing a pitcher warming up in the game circle while all this is going on.

There is this: ART. 4 . . . Hitting the ball to teammates on defense is prohibited after the game has started.

That's there ostensibly so nobody gets conked by a ball off a bat. But it's specific to the "after the game has started".

Not sure what I'd do if I came across this. A team's practice time is their own. I would tell a catcher she needed her mask. But that's a rule:
ART. 3 . . . (F.P.) Any non-adult warming up a pitcher at any location within the confines of the field shall wear an approved catcher’s helmet and mask combination and throat protector.