Skip to main content

9 replies

Quick pitch

BS Brian Shanberg100+ posts
Situation:
Opposing pitcher, in the stretch, comes set just as the batter enters the box. Opposing pitcher then fires a strike. The timing is questionable, but I didn't really see anything wrong with this tactic, but it did catch our batters off guard.

So, we tell our batters to put a hand up and get time while entering the box for each pitch. The pitcher still came set, during the time-out, and as soon as the plate ump pointed to 'play', the opposing pitcher fires a strike from the set position.

We stop play and ask the plate ump if that's a legal pitch. My position is that the pitcher needs to restart with hands down and then go to set and then deliver a pitch. Ump says there is no infraction. The pitcher continues the rest of the game using the quick pitch with much success.

Is there an pitching rule violation here?
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

jjkjjk500+ posts
No violation. The pitcher is not required to make any motion such as the stretch prior to pitching.
May if he chooses, but not required.

As an Umpire under these situations I would simply protect the batters, with a hand up signaling don't pitch, until I was sure they were safely prepared to accept a pitch.
BS Brian Shanberg100+ posts
Let me ask it another way.
Is coming 'set' a requirement for each pitch from the stretch?

Do we allow the pitcher to come set during a timeout and finish the pitch during time-in?

What if a base runner takes off during that timeout? (The pitcher is on the mound in the set position.)

What if the pitcher, in the set position, during the timeout, turns his shoulders to look at the base runner at 1st base? Its during a batter timeout.

I guess I was under the impression the 'coming set' requirement protected the batter from quick pitches and that all of the motion had to be completed with the ball 'in play'.

BTW, I'm asking for my own education and you guys provide great answers. I'm not trying to intentionally be difficult.
jjkjjk500+ posts
quote:
Let me ask it another way.
Is coming 'set' a requirement for each pitch from the stretch?

"From the stretch:
Yes, the pitcher must join hands a come to a complete stop/set prior to pitching."

Do we allow the pitcher to come set during a timeout and finish the pitch during time-in?

"Yes, he could. There is no requirement for the pitcher to make any preliminary motion such as "the stretch", prior to pitching. So, technically F1 could have his pivot in contact while awaiting the return throw from F2, catch the ball join hands come set and deliver. Is that a quick pitch no, is it quick pitching, yes. Could it be ruled a quick pitch, darn right. The batter has some rights to get set and prepared prior to a pitch as well, not to mention the most important, safety..

What if a base runner takes off during that timeout? (The pitcher is on the mound in the set position.)

"Guess I shoulda read this part sooner, during timeout nothing can occur, period. If F1 was in contact during time out, yes, he could legally do that, but nothing's gonna happen til it's put back in play.

What if the pitcher, in the set position, during the timeout, turns his shoulders to look at the base runner at 1st base? Its during a batter timeout.
"See above", time is out."

I guess I was under the impression the 'coming set' requirement protected the batter from quick pitches and that all of the motion had to be completed with the ball 'in play'.

"See above again".

BTW, I'm asking for my own education and you guys provide great answers. I'm not trying to intentionally be difficult.


THEN KNOCK IT OFF!! Kidding of course, good question/s. Hope the answers help.
Just remember if time is out, nothing can happen.
Time is not in until "the HP umpire says or signals it is..
What may also be throwing ya is when "time isn't out?"
If the ball is in play it stays in play until the call and signal of time is made by an umpire.

If F1 is trying to quick pitch, er, ah, I mean "pitch quickly" then the umpire will hold him off with a single hand raised. This is not time out, this is hold off.
jjkjjk500+ posts
P.s. Remind your hitters this as well, just because there hand is up, doesn't protect them, they may ask for time, doesn't mean there gonna get it.

On the other hand the batter has every right to take a sign after a pitch, adjust his helmet what ever, if he ain't quite ready the umpire will protect him, if he is ready, time ain't out, we're playing. I wouldn't know the B's pre swing rituals; far as I know "he starts his swing with one hand off the bat and in the air, or generates his timing by holding the bat towards the pitcher in a warm up swing manner". He's in the box, aware, and watching F1 we're playing.
D dash_riprock1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by jjk:

If F1 is trying to quick pitch, er, ah, I mean "pitch quickly" then the umpire will hold him off with a single hand raised. This is not time out, this is hold off.

If you hold up your hand to prevent a pitcher from pitching, time is out and the ball is dead. There is no such thing as "hold off" with a live ball.

The "quick-pitch" is an illegal pitch (balk with men on). Call it, and it will stop.
Michael S. TaylorMichael S. Taylor1,000+ posts
Dash is exactly correct. If you hold your hand up, you HAVE to put the ball back into play. When you put your hand up, do you allow a pitcher to try to pick a runner. The answer is you shouldn't, it's time, don't do it unless you have to.
In the OP you shouldn't be putting the ball back into play until the batter is set. If that means you have to hold your hand up, then do it. I am very big about putting the ball in play, and if I hadn't completely done that when a pitcher tries to pitch, I will call a no pitch.
jjkjjk500+ posts
Dash and MT are right! I can't really believe I wrote that !!? If the umpires hand is up, it is time, not sure where I even came up with that?

Other than; the signal of time is the raising of both arms by the umpire, with a verbal call of time, which is usually followed with a single hand coming up as everyone takes there places, so in a sense the raised hand is a "hold up, time is still out" sign.

Umpires do not use the single raised hand during a live ball situation..that is a statement and a PLEA..

I was really only considering the batter and F1, and not base runnersin the OP, there is nothing worse than a hand raised and a PO or steal attempt!! Sorry time was out, would be the correct call..no matter how bad it tasted..
M mrumpiresir10+ posts
I started umpiring in 1991 and seem to remember that the "DO Not Pitch" sign was one of the differences between HS ball and OBR. I was taught the ball is dead under FED but remains alive in Pro ball. FED specifically says this is a dead ball (Page 72 of 2008 rule book). I can find nothing in the PRO book to support the argument that the ball is dead, but I think it makes sense to have time out. I have been following numerous forums and know Dash and Michael S Taylor are very knowledgeable and always give good advice on rules I have seen discussed. Can anyone give some insight or background on if this was actually considered a live ball situation and if so, how the interpretation came to be changed?
Michael S. TaylorMichael S. Taylor1,000+ posts
Hopefully PIAA will step in and give more of an answer but the hand up has been a mechanic in all levels longer back than 1991. The problem is the internet wasn't as prolific as it is now. Most umpires didn't have the training available or the access to manual like J/R, JEA and Carl's, "Baseball Rule Differences."
As boards like this and others, knowledge has been passed around the country and the level of umpiring has risen tremendously. This is but one example of an interpretation that has been made known.

Add Reply

Post
.

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Advanced Search
Advanced Search
Link copied to your clipboard.
×