Huh?

[Blueump1]

Okay, I'll bite - not to argue or cause contention, but simply to support what I believe is the true spirit of the rule - even if this situation is not specifically specified in the rules:

Rule 6.2.5 is the Fed rule that addresses this, but before we jump right to that rule let's remember who this entire rule set (except section 3) is designated for - the pitcher! "Section 2 - Infractions by PITCHER" is again specific to the pitcher: not the shortstop, left-fielder or expendable bench player #3. This specific pitcher rule states the pitcher "has no more than one minute to deliver no more than five balls to the catcher or other teammate." Notice again what is DOES NOT say. Although it specifically states "another player" in this rule when referring to who may RECEIVE the ball, it doesn't say "another player" when it specifies who is THROWING the ball.

Rule 6.5.2 then goes on to discuss changing out the ball. It states "the pitcher may request the other ball BEFORE THROWING A WARM-UP PITCH by giving the ball in HER POSSESSION to the plate umpire. Again, the pitcher is the one throwing the warm-ups in this rule. Nobody else.

Even rule 2-44 defines the pitcher as "the player designated in the scorebook as being responsible FOR DELIVERING (pitching) the ball"

I'm not trying to read into this, but I feel the spirit of the rules embodied in the book is that warm up PITCHES are to be delivered by the PITCHER. That's why they are called a "warm-up pitch!" If I'm missing something in black and white, that's why I'm here: to learn.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Blueump1

If I'm missing something in black and white, that's why I'm here: to learn.

You're not missing something, but you're certainly adding to it. There's NOTHING in the book (other than in the Little League baseball book) to justify forcing a player who comes onto the field and throws a ball from the pitcher's plate between innings to continue to pitch the next inning. "Spirit of the rules" is often invoked when actual rules do not support what an umpires wants the rules to be... I'd suggest being careful with using that to justify rulings. One might use "spirit of the rules" to help define vague terms like "immediately" (as in the LBR) or "ordinary effort" / "infielder" (as in the IFF rule)... but you shouldn't use it to justify the creation of a rule that simply isn't written in the book.

This is not the first time this notion has popped up. Trust us - this is not the rule, nor is it the spirit of any rule, nor is it what your rules-makers intend (again... except in LL BB).

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

(again... except in LL BB).

Which I keep saying is where many myths come from, the first experience of many players and especially coaches.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Which I keep saying is where many myths come from, the first experience of many players and especially coaches.

Agreed.

[EsqUmp]

Tell the coach, "If you have to ask, you already know the answer" and move on.

[chapmaja]

I just thought of something else regarding the idea of having a player other than the person on the lineup taking the W/U pitches.

What if the pitcher has been struggling, and the coach is thinking about replacing the pitcher with another player. If he/she sends that player out to take warm-up pitches, he/she can then make a decision to make a pitching change or not.

I have seen something like this when the team only has one catchers helmet, so the team can not warm up a second pitcher.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

I just thought of something else regarding the idea of having a player other than the person on the lineup taking the W/U pitches.

What if the pitcher has been struggling, and the coach is thinking about replacing the pitcher with another player. If he/she sends that player out to take warm-up pitches, he/she can then make a decision to make a pitching change or not.

I have seen something like this when the team only has one catchers helmet, so the team can not warm up a second pitcher.

Sure. Why not?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Which I keep saying is where many myths come from, the first experience of many players and especially coaches.

Well, it's not a myth in LLBB, and likely not in LLSB either, given that both rule books are very similar. And in straight OBR (pro baseball) as well as NCAA baseball, an unannounced pitching change is made when the new pitcher gets on the pitcher's plate. He doesn't even have to deliver a warm-up.

So it's far from a myth. But obviously it doesn't apply to NCAA, NFHS, or ASA softball.

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Which I keep saying is where many myths come from, the first experience of many players and especially coaches.

Is it truly a myth when it is true for some rulesets?

It's also true for OBR.

For example also, if in slo pitch a pitch hits the ground the ball is dead. This isn't true for most other rulesets. Does this make it a myth?

You need to know what is or isn't true for the ruleset you are calling.

In my experience, most "myths" come from slow pitch softball.

Rita

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

You're not missing something, but you're certainly adding to it. There's NOTHING in the book (other than in the Little League baseball book) to justify forcing a player who comes onto the field and throws a ball from the pitcher's plate between innings to continue to pitch the next inning. "Spirit of the rules" is often invoked when actual rules do not support what an umpires wants the rules to be... I'd suggest being careful with using that to justify rulings. One might use "spirit of the rules" to help define vague terms like "immediately" (as in the LBR) or "ordinary effort" / "infielder" (as in the IFF rule)... but you shouldn't use it to justify the creation of a rule that simply isn't written in the book.

This is not the first time this notion has popped up. Trust us - this is not the rule, nor is it the spirit of any rule, nor is it what your rules-makers intend (again... except in LL BB).

Actually it's in the LL SOFTball book also. And in OBR just getting on the rubber makes you the new pitcher. 3.08(a ) in both books if you want to look it up.