Fastpitch question

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Rita, I believe that's only a requirement in LL Softball (I assume that's what you're talking about, since you didn't mention it). I don't think there's a requirement in other organizations for the pitcher to "toe the plate" in order for the umpire to say "Play Ball."

2011 NFHS 5-1-4

ART. 4 . . . After a dead-ball situation, the ball becomes live when it is held by the pitcher on the pitcher’s plate and the umpire calls and/or signals “Play Ball” and gives a beckoning hand signal.

Like I said, I believe this was a recent change, but cant look up older versions of the rule right now.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

2011 NFHS 5-1-4

Okay, I guess it exists in FED ball. I just couldn't find anything in the ASA book.

And even the FED rule you quote doesn't say the pitcher must have her pivot foot on the plate.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Okay, I guess it exists in FED ball. I just couldn't find anything in the ASA book.

And even the FED rule you quote doesn't say the pitcher must have her pivot foot on the plate.

I don't think I said anything about pivot foot.
It was those other guys.
I also don't remember anyone paying attention... Contact or not.

But I am curious if anyone remembers that it was worded differently and changed around 2010.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

2011 NFHS 5-1-4

2011 NFHS 5-1-4

Quote:
ART. 4 . . . After a dead-ball situation, the ball becomes live when it is held by the pitcher on the pitcher’s plate and the umpire calls and/or signals “Play Ball” and gives a beckoning hand signal.

Didn't we have a long discussion about this last year, most of us thinking it was a mstake?

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Didn't we have a long discussion about this last year, most of us thinking it was a mstake?

The rule or the discussion?

[MD Longhorn]

Or the spelling of mistake?

Just one little note from me... AND does not imply sequence - it just means both things had to happen for the ball to be live. A AND B could mean B happens and then A happens, as you are assuming... but it could also mean A happens, and then when B happens, the ball is live.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Or the spelling of mistake?

Just one little note from me... AND does not imply sequence - it just means both things had to happen for the ball to be live. A AND B could mean B happens and then A happens, as you are assuming... but it could also mean A happens, and then when B happens, the ball is live.

As lonh as one notied I'm aliv, I berttre say I acn spell much berrtr tan I can ytpo.

Ditto on the grammar as well.

[CecilOne]

I believe that technically, we need to "time in" after any "time", "dead ball", inning change, etc.; but we do not say "time in", we say "play" or maybe "play ball".

Long ago, I think for college, I learned to say "let's play" for those sitch. I say that pretty often; after time, some dead ball plays, starting an inning, after umpire duties, etc and preceding dropping my hand for a held pitcher.

Don't find it tiring or confusing for players.

[AtlUmpSteve]

FWIW:

I only say "play ball" to start a game. I only say "play" to let the teams know I am over waiting, and timing rules are now being applied (similar to the baseball taught hand clap, meaning "let's go!"), or if there has been a lengthy delay; I start an inning by saying "Batter up"!!. I only point to a pitcher to start play if I have been stopping/holding that pitcher; otherwise, me taking my position means I am ready, so play is live, no matter what killed play prior to that.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

I believe that technically, we need to "time in" after any "time", "dead ball", inning change, etc.; but we do not say "time in", we say "play" or maybe "play ball".

Long ago, I think for college, I learned to say "let's play" for those sitch. I say that pretty often; after time, some dead ball plays, starting an inning, after umpire duties, etc and preceding dropping my hand for a held pitcher.

Don't find it tiring or confusing for players.

I can't remember having seen the phrase "Time in" associated with softball....
Can't remember "Time out" for that matter, either.

Perhaps this is regional

Also, as I have been taught, current college mechanics do not have a mechanic for putting the ball in play. Only at the beginning of a game and perhaps the inning....

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Didn't we have a long discussion about this last year, most of us thinking it was a mstake?

Could be, but I don't remember it.

But I would wonder if it was a mistake, why did it appear in both the 2011 and 2012 books.

And also the part that I keep thinking was changed, I remember as reading something like, "the pitcher is in the circle (or in position, or ready to pitch)" and the umpire says play ball (or whatever).

(That is the way I see the ball being put back in play most of the time anyway - despite the wording of the rule).....

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Didn't we have a long discussion about this last year, most of us thinking it was a mstake?

Hmmmm.....he's alive!!!

[IRISHMAFIA]

I rarely "declare" the ball ready for play. For that matter, I never say play ball (what else are you there for?) and if I say "play", it is my indicator to both teams that the other team and the umpires are ready, so they better get their tail in gear or the umpire may start without them.

[HugoTafurst]

I realize I am the only one who gives a sh1t, but up until 2009, the NFHS rule read:

ART. 4 . . . After a dead-ball situation, the ball becomes live when it is held by the pitcher within the 16-foot circle and the umpire calls and/or signals “Play Ball” and gives a beckoning hand signal.

the 2010 is the first to use

held by the pitcher on the pitcher’s plate

now I can sleep.

BTW, I admit to not really paying attention to whether or not she is in contact with the plate. As a matter of fact, I admit to being rather lax about even putting the ball in play in a lot of situations...... and when I do, its always with the single word, "PLAY"

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

As a matter of fact, I admit to being rather lax about even putting the ball in play

That was one of those things I noticed when I began umpiring softball here five or six years ago. I started my umpiring career in LL Baseball, and they preached to us that we HAD to put the ball in play after every dead ball situation. That's probably because everyone had to understand exactly when the ball was made live again so that pitchers could make pickoff attempts of runners, defense could make appeals, etc.

But when I started doing softball, my clinic instructors never put any emphasis on that requirement. And my seasoned veteran partners would never actively put the ball in play. Basically, when the PU put the mask on and got behind the catcher, everyone understood that the ball was live.