I know this isn't really an umpiring area, but it would be useful for me to know the rules about this because the rule text isn't a model of clarity, so I'm asking you as rules experts more than as field umpires.
The problem is that the tally counters are cheap ****, and it is easy to lose the pitch count and go over even if acting responsibly.
In my kid's little league, this is alleviated a bit because both teams count all the pitches and confirm with each other at the end of the inning and announce when the max is reached, so nobody goes over the max. If the counts are off, they work it out.
But that's not universally true, in his travel league each team is solely responsible for its own count on the honor system.
What is the correct action if it turns out a pitcher has gone over the max?
Do we void whatever happened after the max? Or does it stand until both noticed/protested? Is it like batting out of order, something that the opponent can put into its pocket and use at will depending on how the pitcher is doing, or must the opponent be on its honor to be proactive and stop the game, b/c it is about injuries, after all?
How much of this stuff is for the umpire to resolve on the spot, and how much is for the league?
I will tell you the better umpires in the little league are proactive about making sure everyone has the same pitch count and that no mistakes are made, and the umpires in the travel league are totally indifferent to all of it.
If I was in charge, I'd make it the joint responsibility of the teams to know and alert each other of the pitch count, and there would be the same penalties for both sides if there is a mistake.
Yes, you want to win, but not at the expense of risking injuries.
Thanks.
Original Post
