In my pregame, one of the few 'extra' things I mention is the one minute in between innings thing. As soon as the P/C are out there I establish right away that I am THERE. I take my pitch(es) from each side and NEVER wander more than 10 ft from HP in between. Our group still has a bunch who insist on coming in from their base positions to chat - after an inning or so they get the message, and don't do it.

When the P has reached 4, I GENTLY tell the C - 'next one' or 'going down' - depending on the comprehension level. Most of the time, except at the real low levels, they get the hint, and start doing it on their own. Gotta love when you a team where they C does it at pitch 2 on her own. No surprise those are usually the better teams.

If the C has been on base, and has to put her gear on, I make the point of asking the coach to warm the P up, PLEASE. If the C has NOT been on, and is taking her time, well....tough, and generally will cut the warm up short. Again, it is rare for them to pull that twice after that happening!

If they hustle, I allow exactly what the rule book demands, 3 every inning, first, last and each one in between. If they seem disinterested at any point, I call for the batter and step in to clean the plate. Don't care what they do then, but when a step around behind the plate, I call for the pitch (assuming the batter is in the box and prepared to hit) and if the pitcher isn't ready, it isn't long before it is a ball. :rolleyes:

Before anyone jumps on this. let us recognize that Mike is generally talking the slowpitch game, which allows just 3. In fastpitch, we know it is 5.

Speaking FP ;), 5 is the rule, 3 is making up one unless the tourney/league already did. One minute is the rule, but it seems it should have latitude as long as the players are keeping it moving, as we are allowed in cold weather.

Besides all that, I never tell a catcher to throw it down, just "one more" or "next pitch is last". The throw down is their choice, so not my liability. Same as saying they "can't play" with illegal jewelry, not "remove it".
Also not my job to call "balls in", etc. just "let's play" or "batter, please".

Did you decide that just before you go to bed, you were going to take away all my fun? :mad:

It should be noted that unless the pitcher and catcher are standing at the entrance to the dugout and hustle out onto the field immediately upon the umpire ruling the 3rd out on their team, most will never get in five warm-up pitches in 60 seconds.

I look at the one-minute limit as a game control device that you enforce when necessary, not be so strick that a pitcher barely gets any warm-up prior to the inning.

It is extremely easy for a team to get five warm-up pitches in the time allowed. Remind the coaches to have their teams hustle on and off the field and get somebody out to warm up the pitcher. I tell the each catcher the first time they come out to warm-up the pitcher: You have one minute from the very instant your team makes its third out for your pitcher to get five warm-up pitches and you will not get one second more. Guess what? It works.

MTD, Sr.

P.S. And yes, I have enforced the one minute rule and you would be suprised how quick players and coaches get the messaage. One time the Visitors got only one warm-up pitch at the start of the bottom of the first inning, the HC was not happy but they got the message.

Really? One second? What do you do... take out your watch? :eek:

I have been a basketball official for forty years, I am pretty good with a ten second count and have become fairly proficient and keeping track about how long one minute is. Mind you that is the only time I have shut down a team after only one warm-up pitch. Usually the one minute hits when they have finished just three warm-up pitches and I usually have this problem only a couple of times a year. The real problem is not the players but the HCes who want to have a team meeting after they have just made their third out.

MTD, Sr.

Wow...common sense...what a concept....

Sometimes I just can't help myself :rolleyes:

Sure you can. You just chose not to! :)