- May 29, 2015
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@LEsoftballdad ... don't go putting that on me!
^^ I'll add to these two other points when I do my plate meetings.
* Reminder of any run-ahead rules in place, depending on the league/section/ruleset.
* Ask if the two coaches are their team's head coaches, and remind them, "We only speak to head coaches about rule questions. Let the play end, call time and approach the official that made the call, and we will go from there." Just to prevent random players, parents, or ACs/other dugout adults trying to insert themselves into the games. I've done it for 6 years now and never had an issue with it.
I did get an explanation from our state director tonight after I emailed him about our mercy rule. He said NY follows USA rules, but they chose to modify the run ahead rule to 12 after 5 innings instead of the tournament rules.@LEsoftballdad ... don't go putting that on me!
New softball umpire fresh out of cadet class. My first game was JV scrimmage. I was the only umpire. First situation: both pitchers would get signal from coach, step on rubber, and immediately put their hands together and start their pitching motion. Because it was a scrimmage I informed both coaches and pitchers of the rule that they must at least simulate taking the signal with hands apart, etc. without calling illegal pitches.They adjusted somewhat although the hands were apart very briefly. Also, my game ended early so I watched the varsity game from behind the plate and those pitchers were doing the same thing. My first real game is tomorrow and I plan to address this with the coaches before the game. What would you do? Second situation: Batter who stood way up in the front of the box rubbed out the front line of the box. I said to her that she should not do that in the future But said nothing to the coaches, etc. I noticed at the varsity game (with two slappers in the line up) that the front of that batters box was completely gone. But I did not arrive at that game until inning 4 so who knows what happened. Is there a call or a warning to be made in this instance?
I have rarely seen this called and one reason is because it is so subjective. What exactly constitutes simulating taking the signal? How long of a glance is required to satisfy the requirement? Heck a signal can be taken during a windup. It doesn't take that long to look at a catchers hand. IMO unless the pitcher is intentionally trying to quick pitch, which is what this rule is intended to prevent, I wouldn't call it because no advantage is being gained.the rule that they must at least simulate taking the signal with hands apart, etc.
I have rarely seen this called and one reason is because it is so subjective. What exactly constitutes simulating taking the signal? How long of a glance is required to satisfy the requirement? Heck a signal can be taken during a windup. It doesn't take that long to look at a catchers hand. IMO unless the pitcher is intentionally trying to quick pitch, which is what this rule is intended to prevent, I wouldn't call it because no advantage is being gained.
where does it state that in the rule book?1 full second or more of staring at the catcher with little to no other motions.
Be aware that not all umpires are brave enough to make all the calls to the letter of the law. I've mentioned it before:
1. Batter 'smooths' out the batter box and the chalk is covered up (1st inning). The next batter plants her toes 2" off of home plate. The umpire acknowledged it to our catcher, but wouldn't do anything about it.
2. After I complained about varsity pitchers not simulating a signal, the umpire told me 'Who Cares'.
3. Illegal pitches
In a sense, balls, strikes, and outs are easy to call because you have to. Many other calls take a certain level of confidence and/or bravery to call. As I've gotten game experience and watched other umpires, I've started to envision how I would handle those situations to prepare for it/when it happens.
Some of the calls that I've witnessed umpires NOT calling:
- Pitchers feet out of the lane
- Illegal pitches
- Batters' feet not entirely in the Batters Box before the pitch
- Pitchers wrist outside the elbow on release
- Not simulating a signal
- Quick pitching