Pitcher Requesting a Different Ball

[SoftballGuy247]

Need some help on a situation that happened in a High School game last night.

Situation:

• Game is tied 2-2 at end of 6th, and still tied 2-2 going into top of 13th. The first pitch is fouled out of play, ump gives pitcher a brand new ball. Pitcher throws it back to catcher and asks for a different ball. The ump refuses. Pitcher then asks to roll the ball on the ground and the umpire again says no.

• The pitcher walks the batter (2nd walk of game) and the run ends up scoring on throwing error by center fielder with 2 out. This was the winning run.

Is there a Federation rule about changing the softball in a game?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by SoftballGuy247

Need some help on a situation that happened in a High School game last night.


Situation:

• Game is tied 2-2 at end of 6th, and still tied 2-2 going into top of 13th. The first pitch is fouled out of play, ump gives pitcher a brand new ball. Pitcher throws it back to catcher and asks for a different ball. The ump refuses. Pitcher then asks to roll the ball on the ground and the umpire again says no.

• The pitcher walks the batter (2nd walk of game) and the run ends up scoring on throwing error by center fielder with 2 out. This was the winning run.

Is there a Federation rule about changing the softball in a game?

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[Dakota]

Originally Posted by SoftballGuy247

...going into top of 13th. The first pitch is fouled out of play, ump gives pitcher a brand new ball...

How did a brand new ball end up in the umpire's ball bag in the 13th inning?

[SoftballGuy247]

One of the game balls was cut, and the home team supplied a new ball to replace it.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by SoftballGuy247

...top of 13th....

Originally Posted by SoftballGuy247

One of the game balls was cut, and the home team supplied a new ball to replace it.

Home did it to themselves, then? Why didn't home coach supply a serviceable used ball out of his bucket?

Regardless, if I had been the PU, I would have done my best to quickly rub / rough-up the brand new ball before giving it to the players.

[SoftballGuy247]

No, home team supplied ball, but visiting team was pitching... Is there any ball rotation protocol if you bring a brand new ball into the game in extra innings? Or is that the same as if it were the top of the 1st?

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by SoftballGuy247

No, home team supplied ball, but visiting team was pitching... Is there any ball rotation protocol if you bring a brand new ball into the game in extra innings? Or is that the same as if it were the top of the 1st?

You did say TOP of the 13th, and home is on defense in the top.

No, there is no protocol, but as I said, I would have roughed the ball up myself before giving it to the pitcher. The "sheen" should be removed from a new ball before it is put into play, but this is not specified in the rules anywhere.