I was playing a super aggressive baserunning team and it was getting very frustrating. It seemed like every ball put in play their runners were already almost at the next base. I watched the runner on 2nd and it was clear she was off the bag before release. She would start as the pitcher started her motion and be two steps off the bag before the pitcher released the ball.
I pointed it out to the umpire. Next pitch, same thing. "Blue, she's leaving early!" "No, she's moving but she isn't off the bag before the ball is out of the pitcher's hand."
Many baserunners do this, they start moving when the pitcher's hand is at the top of her arm circle, the idea being the half-second it takes you to actually leave the bag is the same timing as the hand coming forward and releasing the ball.
But the runner was leaving when the pitcher began her motion and was clearly off the bag before the ball was out of her hand. Ump saw it differently. Nothing you can do... right?
What would have happened if I told my pitcher to start her windup, but hold onto the ball and not release it?
Would the "pitch" be called a ball since she started her wind-up?
I'd trade a ball for a warning (or even an out) to stop the runners from jumping early...
I pointed it out to the umpire. Next pitch, same thing. "Blue, she's leaving early!" "No, she's moving but she isn't off the bag before the ball is out of the pitcher's hand."
Many baserunners do this, they start moving when the pitcher's hand is at the top of her arm circle, the idea being the half-second it takes you to actually leave the bag is the same timing as the hand coming forward and releasing the ball.
But the runner was leaving when the pitcher began her motion and was clearly off the bag before the ball was out of her hand. Ump saw it differently. Nothing you can do... right?
What would have happened if I told my pitcher to start her windup, but hold onto the ball and not release it?
Would the "pitch" be called a ball since she started her wind-up?
I'd trade a ball for a warning (or even an out) to stop the runners from jumping early...