No pitch if batter not ready?

[Dakota]

Originally posted by bobbrix
continuous learning ...

i've only been putting my hand up for the 1st pitch at the start of an inning or after i've called time

are we supposed to be putting our hand up for each pitch??

It's a matter of judgment and game management. If the batter is not set (going through their little pre-pitch ritual, taking signs from the coach, etc., they will typically have one hand up (but not always, especially at younger ages).

What you do depends...

If it is routine, and not an overly involved, time-consuming ritual, hold up you hand, or otherwise be not ready for the pitch yourself (standing full upright, etc.). That way, if the pitcher pitches or begins her motion, you can declare "DEAD BALL; NO PITCH; YOUNG LADY, WAIT UNTIL I AM READY." No argument from the coach about the batter.

If, OTOH, the batter is delaying the game with an excessively long between-pitch ritual (especially if it is late in a timed game and you suspect intentional delay), order the batter to get ready, stay in the box, stay ready, whatever to speed her up. As a last resort, you can call a strike with no pitch having been delivered. In youth ball, though, don't allow a pitch if the batter is not ready (safety issue).