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At my field we have a batting tunnel behind our dugout. It's real easy for us to send a kid back there to hit during a game.

Is there a rule that does not allow one team to take BP during the game and then step in to hit as a pinch hitter (or a starter for that matter) later in the game?

I asked the plate ump this tonight and he said he had never heard of it. I was thinking of pinch hitting one of my guys and I thought it would be good if he got some swings in before he went up.

I asked the ump what he would rule if the other team complained during the BP and / or if he took the BP and then came into the game and then they complained.

He said if the other team said something while he was taking BP to make him stop and if they said something when he checked in he would say it was tough luck. He said in no way shape form or fashion would he call an out against us.

Just wondering if there is a rule against it.

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. Thomas Jefferson

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Just a point of clarification is needed here. In NFHS rules, there is an official interpretation by Rumble 87-114 that states that:

"The umpire has no jurisdiction over the use of facilities outside the confines of the field, however if the ping of the bats is distracting the umpire may prohibit further use".....


This is one of those things that is frustrating to many umpires, the rule book does not give you everything you need to umpire games correctly. There are mechanic manuals and official interetations that are needed to supplement the rule book.

So:

In a NFHS game, you can stop it.......

In a NCAA/OBR game you can not........
Thanks PIAA Ump - just wanted to make sure I would be putting my team at risk for some kind of out or anything that would hurt us.

Brilliant Mind - thanks for the input but I wanted to wait for one of the guys who have a longer history on here. Keep up the good work and you build up the credibility like the other guys.

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