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Old Mon Aug 19, 2013, 09:10pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA View Post
Speaking ASA

It is rule 6FP.10.E However, I wouldn't be too quick to blame the batter for a pitcher failing to continue the delivery.

There is no rule forbidding a batter to stay in the batter's box and this rule states the act must be obvious for the purpose of creating an IP.

Well, how can you warn a batter who just doesn't want to be near the plate/in the box when the pitch is approaching and is not violating any rules by stepping out?
NFHS is very clear on this. 7-3-1. I think that not having thought about it being different I very likely would have missed this one in an ASA game(*). So thank you for the response and thank you to the other Mike for starting the thread.
(*) Of course that pre-supposes that it happened, have you ever actually seen a batter step out abruptly as the pitcher is throwing?
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Old Mon Aug 19, 2013, 09:47pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by youngump View Post
NFHS is very clear on this. 7-3-1. I think that not having thought about it being different I very likely would have missed this one in an ASA game(*). So thank you for the response and thank you to the other Mike for starting the thread.
(*) Of course that pre-supposes that it happened, have you ever actually seen a batter step out abruptly as the pitcher is throwing?
With NFHS rule, why would a pitcher ever complete the delivery and risk a ball call? Of course, it could be a strike, but what are the odds if the action actually disturbed the pitcher?

Just weak coaching. The pitcher should always, ALWAYS follow through with the pitch. I've been hearing that since 1958 when I first started playing baseball. And I'll bet everyone on here has been told or heard the same thing.

So, why is there a rule covering for the pitcher?
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Old Tue Aug 20, 2013, 08:25am
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Mike, are you saying that if a pitcher started her delivery, and the batter stepped out ... then the pitcher, thinking time was called, failed to deliver the pitch --- you would call an illegal pitch?
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Old Tue Aug 20, 2013, 11:55am
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Originally Posted by MD Longhorn View Post
Mike, are you saying that if a pitcher started her delivery, and the batter stepped out ... then the pitcher, thinking time was called, failed to deliver the pitch --- you would call an illegal pitch?
Not always by the rules, but my question is, why not? IMO, that is a sign of poor coaching. A pitcher, regardless of which game is being played should always finish a delivery once started. Heard it all my sporting life, is there any reason that should change?

And how do you determine it was "meant" to cause an IP? (ASA) If the pitcher starts his/her delivery and looks up and sees the batter just standing there an leaning on the bat, you going to call an IP if the pitcher doesn't deliver the ball? What if the batter is just standing there, bat on shoulder looking away from the pitcher? Gonna call that an IP if the pitcher doesn't throw the ball? Are you going to warn the batter every time a pitcher reacts to their presence or lack of preparedness? There is no rule requiring the batter to take a certain posture in the BB or to stay there once the pitcher starts the delivery.

Yes, we all know that this is something that you will recognize when you see it, but that is because many players can play better than act.

And what is it with the "hold up the hand" crap? Who cares? Since when it that anything more than a player holding up their hand? Even if you accept that as a request for time, it is to the umpire, not the pitcher, so why is it an issue even raised in the rule? That is as ambiguous as a "play" on an LBR anything to which the runner reacts.

No, I'm not saying I would or would not always call an IP, but I am certainly going to use some common sense when applying any portion of the rule IF I think it is necessary to apply it at all.
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Old Tue Aug 20, 2013, 01:47pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA View Post
No, I'm not saying I would or would not always call an IP, but I am certainly going to use some common sense when applying any portion of the rule IF I think it is necessary to apply it at all.
But you are saying that by rule we either have to call an illegal pitch or rule an intentional attempt to draw an illegal pitch? Yes?
Maybe this is bad then but my sense is that when the batter requested time and I saw the pitcher stopping that I started to call time just before she violated. After all they had both stopped?
Now that you've opened my eyes to the rule I'm going to have to seek some local direction on this one.
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Old Tue Aug 20, 2013, 01:44pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA View Post
With NFHS rule, why would a pitcher ever complete the delivery and risk a ball call? Of course, it could be a strike, but what are the odds if the action actually disturbed the pitcher?

Just weak coaching. The pitcher should always, ALWAYS follow through with the pitch. I've been hearing that since 1958 when I first started playing baseball. And I'll bet everyone on here has been told or heard the same thing.

So, why is there a rule covering for the pitcher?
The pitch is to be called a strike if delivered. Rule reads:

2. If the pitcher stops or hesitates in her delivery as a result of the batter
stepping out of the box or holding up her hand to request time, it shall not
be an illegal pitch. However, if the batter steps out of the box or holds up
her hand to request time and the pitcher legally delivers the ball, it shall
be called a strike and the ball remains live. If a pitch is not delivered, a
rule has been violated by both the batter and the pitcher. The umpire shall
call time, declare "no-pitch" and begin play anew. If the umpire judges the
batter's action to be a deliberate attempt to create an illegal pitch, the
umpire will penalize according to 3-6-9.
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Old Tue Aug 20, 2013, 02:14pm
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YU has posted the NFHS rule... a clear case where their rule makes a lot more sense than the ASA rule, which seems to indicate there's no grey area between an illegal pitch and ruling the batter did it intentionally (with warning and ejection threats).

In NFHS (and every baseball ruleset), if the batter steps out and the pitcher stops, it's a no pitch. I believe that is the same in NCAA although my book was borrowed this weekend and I have not gotten it back.
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Old Tue Aug 20, 2013, 03:10pm
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Download the NCAA rulebook for free from SUP website. It is in PDF form so you can search it too. Link is on left side of the page.

http://sup.arbitersports.com

Quote:
Originally Posted by MD Longhorn View Post
YU has posted the NFHS rule... a clear case where their rule makes a lot more sense than the ASA rule, which seems to indicate there's no grey area between an illegal pitch and ruling the batter did it intentionally (with warning and ejection threats).

In NFHS (and every baseball ruleset), if the batter steps out and the pitcher stops, it's a no pitch. I believe that is the same in NCAA although my book was borrowed this weekend and I have not gotten it back.

Last edited by shagpal; Tue Aug 20, 2013 at 09:14pm.
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Old Wed Aug 21, 2013, 05:29am
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I never post other sports here, and usually ignore any that appear, but just think this is too ironic in timing.

"PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies left-hander Jake Diekman got called for an unusual balk in the eighth inning of Monday's 5-4 win over the Rockies at Citizens Bank Park.

Diekman was working out of the stretch with runners on first and second when Nolan Arenado wanted to call time, and made a movement out of the batter's box, although he never completely left the box and time had never been called. Diekman began his delivery to the plate, but upon seeing Arenado move out of the box he believed time had been called and stopped his delivery. Home-plate umpire Jim Joyce called a balk.

Phillies interim manager Ryne Sandberg and Joyce had three conversations about the call during the game. Sandberg's contention was that a hitter cannot induce a balk. Rule 6.02(b) states: "If after the pitcher starts his windup or comes to a "set position" with a runner on, he does not go through with his pitch because the batter has stepped out of the box, it shall not be called a balk."

Joyce spoke about the call following the game with Randy Marsh, who is Major League Baseball's director of umpires. Marsh is in town this week.

"I implemented the balk wrong," Joyce said before Tuesday's game. "The rule actually states if the batter leaves the batter's box and causes the pitcher to hesitate or stop, a balk shall not be called. I got probably a little more technical on that. He didn't leave the box, but the spirit of the rule is if you make the pitcher stop by some sort of action by the batter, a balk shall not be called. I probably was a little overzealous in throwing out that balk."

Joyce said he spoke with Sandberg and Rockies manager Walt Weiss about it before Tuesday's game.

"You could have the hitter step out, and if the pitcher delivers a weaker pitch they could step back in and whack it, if they're just trying to deliver a pitch," Sandberg said. "So, for me, it's a total disadvantage for the pitcher there in all regards to the play. The rule states that, and I think that's why the rule is what it is."

In Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Rockies, two more balks were called, but both were against Colorado reliever Rex Brothers, who didn't come to a complete stop in his delivery from the stretch in the same at-bat in the eighth inning.
"

Sandberg seeks clarification on balk call | phillies.com: News
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Old Wed Aug 21, 2013, 07:34am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CecilOne View Post
I never post other sports here, and usually ignore any that appear, but just think this is too ironic in timing.

"PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies left-hander Jake Diekman got called for an unusual balk in the eighth inning of Monday's 5-4 win over the Rockies at Citizens Bank Park.

Diekman was working out of the stretch with runners on first and second when Nolan Arenado wanted to call time, and made a movement out of the batter's box, although he never completely left the box and time had never been called. Diekman began his delivery to the plate, but upon seeing Arenado move out of the box he believed time had been called and stopped his delivery. Home-plate umpire Jim Joyce called a balk.

Phillies interim manager Ryne Sandberg and Joyce had three conversations about the call during the game. Sandberg's contention was that a hitter cannot induce a balk. Rule 6.02(b) states: "If after the pitcher starts his windup or comes to a "set position" with a runner on, he does not go through with his pitch because the batter has stepped out of the box, it shall not be called a balk."

Joyce spoke about the call following the game with Randy Marsh, who is Major League Baseball's director of umpires. Marsh is in town this week.

"I implemented the balk wrong," Joyce said before Tuesday's game. "The rule actually states if the batter leaves the batter's box and causes the pitcher to hesitate or stop, a balk shall not be called. I got probably a little more technical on that. He didn't leave the box, but the spirit of the rule is if you make the pitcher stop by some sort of action by the batter, a balk shall not be called. I probably was a little overzealous in throwing out that balk."

Joyce said he spoke with Sandberg and Rockies manager Walt Weiss about it before Tuesday's game.

"You could have the hitter step out, and if the pitcher delivers a weaker pitch they could step back in and whack it, if they're just trying to deliver a pitch," Sandberg said. "So, for me, it's a total disadvantage for the pitcher there in all regards to the play. The rule states that, and I think that's why the rule is what it is."

In Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Rockies, two more balks were called, but both were against Colorado reliever Rex Brothers, who didn't come to a complete stop in his delivery from the stretch in the same at-bat in the eighth inning.
"

Sandberg seeks clarification on balk call | phillies.com: News
Again, the batter is not required to stay in the box, even in MLB. Many batters step one foot out and then return to hit a pitch, it is not a penalty. And in softball, if the batter does leave the box, they cannot re-enter an "whack it".

As it said, the pitcher ASSUMED time had been called. How does ASSUMING anything work out in some cases on the field?

I'm not arguing the rules, I arguing the rule shouldn't be there to start.
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Old Wed Aug 21, 2013, 07:27am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MD Longhorn View Post
YU has posted the NFHS rule... a clear case where their rule makes a lot more sense than the ASA rule, which seems to indicate there's no grey area between an illegal pitch and ruling the batter did it intentionally (with warning and ejection threats).
I don't think it makes more sense for reasons I've already posted, but it is definitely clearer and YU did point out the "strike" ruling which I overlooked.

BTW, at what point do you determine the batter left the box for this rule to be in effect?

Quote:
In NFHS (and every baseball ruleset), if the batter steps out and the pitcher stops, it's a no pitch. I believe that is the same in NCAA although my book was borrowed this weekend and I have not gotten it back.
And my question is still, why? Pitcher starts, pitcher shouldn't stop. Why are the rules protecting poor mechanics and execution? Maybe a pitcher is not having a good day or is wild? You are going to penalize the batter for bailing out early?

And while we are at it, isn't the umpire directed to not grant time after the pitcher starts his/her delivery? Well, if the umpire is to not grant a suspension of play, why is it even a consideration that someone is fooled or confused?

We constantly deal with DMC, DMR, DMF, so why is there no DMP in this situation?
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