Warm-Up Pitches

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Originally posted by Jeff Connell:
I have seen many teams warm-up (questionable) before he actually takes the mound during an inning. The coach will come out and give the ball to the player who is gonna come in and have him throw while he talks to the pitcher on the mound. Then after their conversation and the umpire finally makes them break it up, he will trade pitchers and bring in the guy who has been throwing this whole time. Is this legal? Do you give him 8 more warm-up pitches? Is it stretching the rules?

I have heard umpires say that you can not bring the ball on the field during this time. Yet, the same umpires will let a kid coming in the game or a pitcher being taken out throw to the first baseman to get used to it. What is the difference?

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Why would a pitcher who is being removed make throws to the first baseman? Unless he switches to an infield position, and makes the throws while the new pitcher is warming up.

Under no circumstances should an incoming pitcher make throws to anyone but the catcher, or someone taking warmups while a new catcher is gettingh his gear on.

If another player makes warmup throws, there should be a limit of eight, and he's the new pitcher. Anything else is bending the rules.

I am strongly suggesting they are bending the rules. My question is does another coach have the rule to back it up. What they are doing is warming up the shortstop or outfielder before he actually comes to the mound. This scenario involves a player already in the game who is coming to the mound. They are bringing a ball out to the fielder and having him throw during a timeout while the coach talks to the current pitcher. After the umpire tells the coach to end the timeout, he reports that he is bringing in the one who has been throwing as the new pitcher. He is then given 8 warmup pitches from the mound.
One umpire said they had already warmed up and gave them no warm-ups and I as an observer, with no one in the game, had a problem with that because he had thrown off the mound. But we as umpires allow coaches to bring balls on the field during timeouts when a new pitcher comes into the game and we bring in a new player or trade infielders.
My question, is there a rule that prohibits it. (I can't find it) and is there a rule that allows the ball on the field at any point?

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Originally posted by Jeff Connell:
I am strongly suggesting they are bending the rules. My question is does another coach have the rule to back it up. What they are doing is warming up the shortstop or outfielder before he actually comes to the mound. This scenario involves a player already in the game who is coming to the mound. They are bringing a ball out to the fielder and having him throw during a timeout while the coach talks to the current pitcher. After the umpire tells the coach to end the timeout, he reports that he is bringing in the one who has been throwing as the new pitcher. He is then given 8 warmup pitches from the mound.
One umpire said they had already warmed up and gave them no warm-ups and I as an observer, with no one in the game, had a problem with that because he had thrown off the mound. But we as umpires allow coaches to bring balls on the field during timeouts when a new pitcher comes into the game and we bring in a new player or trade infielders.
My question, is there a rule that prohibits it. (I can't find it) and is there a rule that allows the ball on the field at any point?

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If he's just tossing the ball with another player, or someone on the sideline, there is no problem. However, if someone is actually throwing warmup pitches with that person, I would not permit it. PERIOD.

Don't look for a rule permitting a ball on the field, because there isn't one. But, there isn't one against it.

I have seen umpires pull all kinds of rules trying to justify it or not. I have said that is a rule that does not exist. And that if we are gonna allow the ball to be thrown around any time we can not stop it. But I think we have to allow the 8 warm up pitches on the mound. I would hate to be the umpire who did not allow it and the player get hurt the first pitch. Thanks for your insight.

I think your analysis is correct. The only thing I'd add is that I don' think the 8 throws from the mound are to "warm up" so much as it's an opportunity for the picther to get the feel of the mound. Given the inconsistencies in height, slope, firmness, etc., of mounds (particularly at the high school level) it's important for the pitcher to have a chance to make some pitches just to get the feel before facing a batter.

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Originally posted by P-Dog:
I think your analysis is correct. The only thing I'd add is that I don' think the 8 throws from the mound are to "warm up" so much as it's an opportunity for the picther to get the feel of the mound. Given the inconsistencies in height, slope, firmness, etc., of mounds (particularly at the high school level) it's important for the pitcher to have a chance to make some pitches just to get the feel before facing a batter.

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Not necessarily true. In many, if not most, HS games, a new pitcher has been playing a defensive position, and doesn't have the opportunity to warm up on the sidelines.

In the pros, and major college games, a pitcher is brought in from the bullpen. I don't know how many different pro parks you've attended, but the mounds are not all the same. THEY need the pitches to adjust to the mound, and to adjust to their catcher.

U.T. did that last year in the College WS with Houston Street playing 3B.

During a mound visit or time out Street would throw with someone standing near the 3B dugout to get loose in anticipation of moving to the hill.

We do do the same with our travel team, but if blue says stop we don't argue.

Actually last year we had this exact discussion in this forum when the Street situation was brought up. I, myself, felt it was not proper for a player to take warm up throws while the coach talked to the pitcher, in effect getting in more warm up throws than warranted. However......


I took this stiuation to my association meeting which has NCAA D1 umpires as members and proposed the situation to them. the answer was that it is not against any rule, and is allowable per a ruling from the NCAA rules interpreter (who I believe is John Bible.)