Questions About 2 Obscure Rules

quote:

Originally posted by Harry Stephenson:
Was watching the playoff game the other night and I thought of 2 situations I've never seen happen:

1) We all know pitchers can't get signs directly from the bench, but what's the penalty if they do?

2) Can 3 (or more) pitchers warm up in the bullpen at the same time?

Thanks much.

In professional baseball and baseball governed under OBR rules, there is no penalty for a pitcher who does not get his signs from the catcher. It is one of the 3 "dont do that" pitching infractions.

Under NFHS rules, the penalty is a ball/balk, but enforcing this is rare at best...it is very difficult to determine if its the catcher or coach or dad in the stands that is relaying the sign...and to that point, the rule is there to stop quick pitches....absent a quick pitch, you probably wont see this called much....

as to the bullpen...Only NCAA has much to say about what is allowed in the bullpen.....OBR and NFHS have no rule against 3 pitchers warming up....

NCAA has only requirements for the mounds and direction they face....

Hope this helps

One MLB bullpen restriction is that a player already in the game can not warmup in the bullpen.

plaa_ump:
Thanks. What are the other "don't do that" rules? I hadn't heard that term until you used it.

Interesting. Thanks guys, I really appreciate the responses.

Yeah, what are the other 2 "don't do that" rules?

quote:

It is one of the 3 "dont do that" pitching infractions.

I know that another one is getting signs off the rubber, not a balk but frowned upon if used to hold runners closer or quick pitch. I believe the player can be ejected if he continues to do it after being warned, along with the coach, but what is the third "don't do that" pitching infraction?

As far as three pitchers warming up at the same time...when Turner field in Atlanta opened both bullpens featured a 3 rubber mound. I believe the visiting coach was Dusty Baker that commented he could warm up a righty, a lefty, and a maybe at the same time.

Piaa_ump,

What does the NCAA say about "mounds and the direction they face"? I want to make sure our summer home field complies...

quote:

Originally posted by hokieone:
Piaa_ump,

What does the NCAA say about "mounds and the direction they face"? I want to make sure our summer home field complies...

NCAA- all college baseball facilities shall have a regulation bullpen for both teams constructed to the exact measurements of the mound of the playing field. Each bullpen must be large enough to allow two pitcher to warm up at the same time.

A pitcher warming up in the bullpen should be throwing in the same direction he would be if he was on the mound...

quote:

Originally posted by Swampboy:
plaa_ump:
Thanks. What are the other "don't do that" rules? I hadn't heard that term until you used it.

The other 2 infractions that have no penalty (thats why we call them "dont do that") under OBR are:

1. Failing to drop his hands to his sides when he disengages the pitchers plate..

2. Not having one hand on his side in the set position...

quote:

Originally posted by piaa_ump:


2. Not having one hand on his side in the set position...

Before coming "set".