Pre-game warmup question
 

Fed rules:
I had this question posed to me and thought I'd let some of your knowledgeable folks chew on this.

Is it permissible for (or would you allow) the pitcher to throw warm up pitches from the actual pitching plate while her team is taking pre-game infield?

I'd want to see a rule reference from anyone who says "No."

Don't they do that between innings?

You mean your fields don't have a Practice Pitcher's Plate (PPP) installed for warm ups? :confused: :rolleyes: ;)

How about the one that goes something like if not explicitly covered in the rules the ump gets to make a ruling.

Just for safety reasons I would say no. Just think of mommy and daddy in front of The Judge saying you put the little girl in danger with your gross neglegence. There is way too many opportunities for the pitcher to warm up elsewhere.

Just my thoughts on the question.

I don't do Fed.
Question... By NFHS rule, do umpires (beyond doing any required bat/equipment checks) have any on field authority prior to the exchange of lineups at home plate?

Yes. The umpire's jurisdiction begins upon entering "the confines of the field" (10-1-2).

Now... let me give you the rest of the story.

Apparently there is a school in our area that likes their pitcher to pitch from the game pitcher's plate while the rest of the team is taking infield/outfield. I had a fellow umpire ask me what I thought of such a practice. My response was, "There's nothing in the rules book against it. As far as I'm concerned, the field is theirs to use as they see fit while they run their infield."

During infield warm ups, I've seen pitchers throw actual pitches to catchers for the purpose of catchers throwing down to various bases to practice pickoffs, etc. I've not had a problem with that.

The umpire who had this occur in their game contacted the state association which has responded pitchers should not warm up from the circle during infield practice as it is a safety issue. Just curious what the rest of you thought.

Thanks for the discussion.

What are the rest of the players doing? I can see it being a safety issue if someone is using a bat to hit the ball to the other fielders. If not, how this is different from what goes on while the pitcher is taking her warm-up pitches between innings?

:confused:
As stated, the other players are taking regular infield/outfield practice. Yes, there's a coach hitting balls to the pitcher's teammates while she throws from the circle.

How about ask to the coach whether he/she thinks it might be dangerous? That would avoid neglect on your part if that is your concern.

Even hitting a ball, does a pitcher not need fielding practice?

I don't understand their reasoning as I see no more a safety concern than with any other actions any of the players are taking.

I believe I allow this every single game I work... what's the question?

If the idiots consider this a safety issue they should put it in the book. That opinion is ludicrous.