Ball rotation

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by okla21fan

This is what I am hearing from fellow umps and even UICs.
"After all balls have been put into play, and there is no delay in the game, why not 'let' the pitcher request a change?"

what are the pros and cons do you guys see here?

The game doesn't make any difference, it is the same directions.

The RS specifically states that the pitcher is NOT (ASA's emphasis, not mine) to be given a choice of ball if there is nothing wrong with the ball in the game.

And to those who choose to ignore this and say "why not", ask the "why not" give the batter a choice of ball? Okay, now to what type of vicious circle will that lead?

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And to those who choose to ignore this and say "why not"

My opinion about this rule is the product of a by-gone era, and the rules do not reflect the current technology of the game. I suppose at one time this rule was needed because the pitchers wanted to throw the "mush" ball or the one they ripped up with their belt buckle.

The balls that are available in today hold up a lot better. It even takes a lot of swings for the SB12 to become mush. And speaking for the Dudley slow pitch, I can't recall the last time I removed one from the game for being mush.

Now that is not to say that all balls shouldn't come through the umpire. I had a high school game in which a SB12 replaced a poly-core ball when the visiting team was at bat. The visiting coach discovered it when it picked up the ball for his pitcher at the end of the inning. So I though about the last foul ball (I was BU), which was innings previous. It was switched during warm ups, as the catcher would start off by rolling a grounder to the pitcher, which she would field and throw the F3.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Big Slick

My opinion about this rule is the product of a by-gone era, and the rules do not reflect the current technology of the game. I suppose at one time this rule was needed because the pitchers wanted to throw the "mush" ball or the one they ripped up with their belt buckle.

The balls that are available in today hold up a lot better. It even takes a lot of swings for the SB12 to become mush. And speaking for the Dudley slow pitch, I can't recall the last time I removed one from the game for being mush.

Now that is not to say that all balls shouldn't come through the umpire. I had a high school game in which a SB12 replaced a poly-core ball when the visiting team was at bat. The visiting coach discovered it when it picked up the ball for his pitcher at the end of the inning. So I though about the last foul ball (I was BU), which was innings previous. It was switched during warm ups, as the catcher would start off by rolling a grounder to the pitcher, which she would field and throw the F3.

I can tell you as a fact of life, coaches/managers/teams DO abuse this rule when they can. Most umpires are not going to stand there and measure different aspects of the ball. If the appropriate stamp is on it and it is not damaged, it goes into the game.

However, I have first-hand knowledge of coaches throwing in a semi-water logged ball if that would benefit their team at that time. This would be more prominent in SP than FP, but I can see a FP coach wanting a certain ball in against another team.

Is it ridiculous? Hell, yeah, but it happens. Which, like a fair amount of other rules, there is something in place to circumvent a possible problem when a sneaky little sh....er, coach thinks s/he can get even the slightest of advantages.

[marvin]

The biggest problem with new balls is that some of them get slippery.

One way to limit the number of times the home team pitcher asks for another ball is to take the one she doesn't want out of the game (it must have something wrong with it) and ask the home coach for a new ball, which you then give to the pitcher. The coach will then deal with the pitcher.

I have had pitchers want a specific ball and slow the game down asking for it back if it gets hit out of play and is then returned.

I have only seen one pitcher who checks the ball every time she gets to the circle and ask for a different ball if she doesn't like it (before a warm up is thrown). Most just don't know the rule.

I always look at the ball if a pitcher asks for a different ball, in some cases there actually is a problem (the ball is cut or a seam ripped).

[BretMan]

While the normal ball rotation procedure is pretty simple, today I was wondering about this one...

If you're working a game with light rain, a muddy field or dew in the grass, quite often someone will have a towel handy to dry balls. In these conditions, the chances of a pitcher asking for another ball during an inning are much greater because the one she has is wet or muddy.

In this case, do you...take the ball she has and get it wiped down, then give her back the same ball (as to maintain the ball rotation procedure)? Allow a dry(er) ball to be put into the game or pull on from your bag? Tell her, "Too bad", because the ball rotation procedure says she has to continue pitching with the ball she has? Some combination of the above?

I guess what I'm asking is if the ball rotation procedure can be ignored, at the umpire's discretion, if he thinks that weather conditions warrant.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by BretMan

While the normal ball rotation procedure is pretty simple, today I was wondering about this one...

If you're working a game with light rain, a muddy field or dew in the grass, quite often someone will have a towel handy to dry balls. In these conditions, the chances of a pitcher asking for another ball during an inning are much greater because the one she has is wet or muddy.

In this case, do you...take the ball she has and get it wiped down, then give her back the same ball (as to maintain the ball rotation procedure)? Allow a dry(er) ball to be put into the game or pull on from your bag? Tell her, "Too bad", because the ball rotation procedure says she has to continue pitching with the ball she has? Some combination of the above?

I guess what I'm asking is if the ball rotation procedure can be ignored, at the umpire's discretion, if he thinks that weather conditions warrant.

Although not addressed in the NFHS rules, I would not argue with a pitcher who requested a new ball that has become "unfit for play" due to temporarily becomming wet, muddy or whatever.

I would issue a new ball from my ball bag and give the ball to the home team (or possibly the defense), requesting that they return a ball fit for play.
I do require that any balls put in play go through me and yes, I do briefly check to make sure they are the correct balls for the game.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BretMan

While the normal ball rotation procedure is pretty simple, today I was wondering about this one...

If you're working a game with light rain, a muddy field or dew in the grass, quite often someone will have a towel handy to dry balls. In these conditions, the chances of a pitcher asking for another ball during an inning are much greater because the one she has is wet or muddy.

In this case, do you...take the ball she has and get it wiped down, then give her back the same ball (as to maintain the ball rotation procedure)? Allow a dry(er) ball to be put into the game or pull on from your bag? Tell her, "Too bad", because the ball rotation procedure says she has to continue pitching with the ball she has? Some combination of the above?

I guess what I'm asking is if the ball rotation procedure can be ignored, at the umpire's discretion, if he thinks that weather conditions warrant.

What makes you think the ball rotation procedue needs to be ignored?

I appreciate a team that dries of a wet ball. They can then return it to me, goes in the bag and then into the game, when necessary.