Conference at the mound...and the plate

[tw1ns]

agree...shouldn't have used the word 'conference'....just getting fed up with all the hand slapping and such....like in basketball when everyone feels it is necessary to step in and slap the free throw shooters hand after every free throw...even when they miss one. play the game, make the plays, act like you should make the plays without all the hoopla. old school, i guess. and i know we have recourse for actions that delay play.

[tcannizzo]

This would equate to a "huddle" in Fed, depending on how long they are there.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

This would equate to a "huddle" in Fed, depending on how long they are there.

And the violation for this is...?

Seriously, I can't find anything in the rule book that covers "huddles" in Fed softball.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Manny A

And the violation for this is...?

Seriously, I can't find anything in the rule book that covers "huddles" in Fed softball.

That's kind of the point. No violation at all (assuming the defense is ready to pitch when they are supposed to be, and the offense is ready to bat when they are supposed to be).

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Manny A

And the violation for this is...?

Seriously, I can't find anything in the rule book that covers "huddles" in Fed softball.

OK, who has maintained a library of annual NFHS rules books?

Several years ago, huddles were a Point of Emphasis, no huddling to be allowed on the field of play. Safety reasons coming in and out of the dugout each half inning (huddling where the other team is throwing a ball around), and to maintain a pace of game management with the unnecessary huddle and handslaps at the pitching circle every half inning (at a minimum).

We were directed to break up any/all on the sidelines but on the field, give an unsportsmanlike warning to the head coach if repeated, and eject for unsportsmanlike conduct if still ignored. We were directed to warn, and then announce "play" and start the 10 second count for the first pitch if ignored at the circle.

To my knowledge, despite not being stated in a rule, that direction regarding safety and game manegement has not been rescinded.

[LIUmp]

Originally Posted by tw1ns

agree...shouldn't have used the word 'conference'....just getting fed up with all the hand slapping and such....like in basketball when everyone feels it is necessary to step in and slap the free throw shooters hand after every free throw...even when they miss one. play the game, make the plays, act like you should make the plays without all the hoopla. old school, i guess. and i know we have recourse for actions that delay play.

Oh boy....if you are really that sick of players enjoying the game, which is what they are doing, then maybe you shouldn't officiate it. Also, softball fields don't have a "mound", an in-the-air hit to the SS is most likely a pop out and not a fly out, and this goes on in just about every level of softball there is. The only time we worry about it is if we are in a timed game, and the team that's getting together is taking too long and there is an issue with the clock. In that case, you instruct them to move it along.

Don't look for problems on a field. They'll find you without you ever asking for them.

[mv7267]

2. HUDDLES
In the interest of minimizing risk to participants, teams should not huddle on the field after a third out while the other team is warming up. During the game, team huddles between players on the field are never considered charged conferences. These huddles should be allowed to the extent that they do not violate any of the rules of the game such as the one minute between innings and the 20 seconds a pitcher has to pitch after receiving the ball. Last year’s point of emphasis was never intended to prohibit team huddles, but merely to ensure they were occurring within existing rules.

Interpreters Section

2006 POE. The only huddle the NFHS wanted stopped was the team coming off the field in front of dug-out while their opponent was warming up.

[tcannizzo]

Originally Posted by mv7267

Interpreters Section

2006 POE. The only huddle the NFHS wanted stopped was the team coming off the field in front of dug-out while their opponent was warming up.

Thanks for that clarification. So, while it is not a "huddle", let's consider it a "gathering" or other term of your choice. The "gathering" does not interrupt the 20 second rule and hence a penalty may ensue due to the "gathering".

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by LIUmp

Also, softball fields don't have a "mound", an in-the-air hit to the SS is most likely a pop out and not a fly out, .

Well.......actually.........by definition, a pop-up is a fly ball. For that matter, a non-foul tip caught by the catcher is a "fly ball" caught for an out.

[LIUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Well.......actually.........by definition, a pop-up is a fly ball. For that matter, a non-foul tip caught by the catcher is a "fly ball" caught for an out.

technically, schmectically.

[tw1ns]

Originally Posted by LIUmp

Oh boy....if you are really that sick of players enjoying the game, which is what they are doing, then maybe you shouldn't officiate it. Also, softball fields don't have a "mound", an in-the-air hit to the SS is most likely a pop out and not a fly out, and this goes on in just about every level of softball there is. The only time we worry about it is if we are in a timed game, and the team that's getting together is taking too long and there is an issue with the clock. In that case, you instruct them to move it along.

Don't look for problems on a field. They'll find you without you ever asking for them.

-1 You don't know me....don't judge if I enjoy it or not. Which i do, BTW. An observation i made how the game(s) has changed over the years. Let's leave it at that, without dissecting every word i put out there.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by tw1ns

don't judge if I enjoy it or not. Which i do, BTW.

Really? Then why did you say, "just getting fed up with all the hand slapping and such" in one of your posts?

For the record, you came to a discussion board, primarily frequented by umpires, with your observation. You should have expected responses from a rules' and a game management's point of view, which is what you got.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by tw1ns

-1 You don't know me....don't judge if I enjoy it or not. Which i do, BTW. An observation i made how the game(s) has changed over the years. Let's leave it at that, without dissecting every word i put out there.

Honestly, if you don't want people to know how you feel about things, don't tell us how you feel about things (i.e. "I'm fed up with ...")