OK, all you other veterans stop rubbing your toes. :D

Mike, Again thanks for replies. This thread started as an ASA girls fastpitch question, and the answers from the "Old Timers" vary slightly as I presumed they would. The baseball was added as an extra, because this is where I have encountered coaches on the mound during half innings. I have not been allowing it mainly because we have 90 minutes to play 6 innings, this can slow things up. If the coach has not done his job in practice sessions, he aint gonna get it done between innings! I think application on these points will help me in both ASA, and Dixie. Yes there are differences, but there are generalities which I can apply to both. RE my training, this forum is great, as well as clinics, and on the job training. I have coached for years, and started thi season calling, it aint as easy as it looks! I am drawing from EVERY avenue available and take it from there. I too have seen some senior officials call in a way which I hope never to do. My aim is learn from all, get it right, be fair and consistant, and do better next game than the last. I judge my performance on my performance only, and never try mimic another. BTW 4-6-C, second sentence, is as clear as mud, can you translate?

One of my all time favorite ASA-isms! http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/derr.gifIf I put a sentence like that in my 8th grade essay, my English teacher would flunk me on the spot!

Pardon me while I have a little fun before answering your question...http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/smileynose.gif

The sentence reads <font color=blue>The pitcher is not required to pitch until the first batter faced completes their turn at bat, or the side has been retired."</font>

This means that the pitcher does not have to pitch until after the side has been retired! How the side gets retired is a mystery! http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/cheezysmile.gif

OK, seriously, what they meant to say was, <i>"A substitute brought in to pitch may be replaced before the first batter completes their turn at bat and/or before the side has been retired."</i>

Thanks Tom, That one was confusing, and that clarifies my original question. I suppose a coach could sub a couple of times to the same batter as a delay?

Hell, that's just as bad as the original. I was just going to say that there is no restrictions as to when a pitcher may be removed from that position.

Yes, and a coach did just that to run out the clock at an ASA Nationals a few years ago. Since it seems the tactic was obviously to delay the game, I don't know why a forfeit wasn't called (or at least the coach warned to cut it out).

Yours is much simpler... But while a bit wordy, mine at least makes sense. :D ASA's original is only understandable if you already know what it means! :)

Actually, if you read it as a rule out of OBR, it might be more understandable. Remember, rules are written for coaches :)