Time between innings

I'm interested in NFHS and ASA. Are there rules for the time allowed from the last out of last inning to first pitch of the next inning? I've seen posts stating 1 minute and some saying 3 minutes.

I have a Babe Ruth League rule book that says 1 minute is allowed for 5 warm up pitches and the penalty is only for more warm up pitches thrown. It says a ball may be called for each pitch in excess of 5. No other penalty for just being slow that I can find.

I believe the ASA rulebook says 3 pitches or 1 minute with the same "1 ball per pitch after 3 warmups" rules implied. I don't have my ASA rulebook on hand to confirm this.

gdc03120 said:

I believe the ASA rulebook says 3 pitches or 1 minute with the same "1 ball per pitch after 3 warmups" rules implied. I don't have my ASA rulebook on hand to confirm this.

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One minute is allowed for three pitches [SP] or five pitches [FP].

NFHS - one minute from last out to first pitch of the next half inning.

I make a real attempt to keep this one minute rule enforced......it gets the defensive team moving and preparing. If the team uses their time meeting; cheers or whatever...at one minute we start the half inning, even if the pitcher has only thrown one warm up.

Now, if we have issues that prevent the pitcher getting to the circle for warm up pitches, I work with them to what is realistic. (pitcher was on base or batter can slow down the process...so work with the situation.)

They balk at it at first, but they adjust to the application of the rule once it is used.

DD has gotten in trouble for quick pitching from multiple umpires.

Batter and her seem ready to go, she needs to wait on ump.

Not sure on actual time limits. If so, where's the guy with a stopwatch? I am sure that the team who hustles on and off the field consistantly, will gain favor with the ump! He's hot, tired, a little pissed off because of 100 reasons, and all he wants is to get through this game. Then he watches "that" team lazily walk to and from their positions. Again, I'm not sure of specific rules applied in this scenario, but the bottom line is it's probably not gonna be good!

I have had it work the other way, especially in showcases. After the first inning we usually go "one and down." In the Florida heat some umpires would rather have the extra time to hydrate and get some shade. We also will use a hurry up defense (drop ball in/out) where we move the game along very quickly to get the other team back out into the field and in the sunshine.

For NFHS and ASA, the rule is one minute to throw up to five warmup pitches. Nobody has a stopwatch, its up to the umpire to enforce this. Some are better than others.

There are several other factors that affect this...coach coming to make multiple changes, pitcher/catcher being on base, scorebook issues, etc. The other thing mentioned is about the umpire taking a break....especially in the hot weather, We don't get to go in the dugout for half the game with water and cold towels...we gotta catch that break when we can. That said, most umpires want to keep the game moving and playing, not waiting between innings, especially with timed games.

One more related factor....Often the team that is behind as the clock is winding down, will hustle out on the field with a "We're ready to go, Blue!" so they can get another at bat. Often this is the same team that has taken their sweet time the rest of game with huddles outside the dugout, waiting for the catcher to get the gear on, etc....At that point, the pace of the game has been established, and I'm not going to change that because one team now wants to hurry.

riseball said:

I have had it work the other way, especially in showcases. After the first inning we usually go "one and down." In the Florida heat some umpires would rather have the extra time to hydrate and get some shade. We also will use a hurry up defense (drop ball in/out) where we move the game along very quickly to get the other team back out into the field and in the sunshine.

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I have liked this ever since you first posted about it. We are doing this as well now.

marriard said:

I have liked this ever since you first posted about it. We are doing this as well now.

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It is surprisingly effective.