ASA ball on batter

[RKBUmp]

I would bet many college coaches do know the rule, because in the college game I saw it called in it was actually the offensive coach that argued for the call.

Batter had a 1-1 count, called strike on outside corner and catcher fires ball to 1st believing it to be strike 3. Umipire gives count of 1-2 and offensive coach immediately calls time and approaches PU. I can only hear bits and pieces of the conversation but the coach asked the umpire if it was not a rule if the ball was not returned immediately to the pitcher it was a ball to the batter. The umpire had to agree it was in fact a rule and went back behind the plate and made the count 2-2.

Now that being said, the argument did not exactly work in the offensive coaches favor. I would have to say the next pitch did not look like it was any where near the strike zone and he rang the batter up on a called 3rd strike.

[MD Longhorn]

Thanks RK. I agree that the NCAA coaches likely know most of the NCAA rules.