They can pick the ball just not allowed to change once they pick.
I do think switching balls all the time could be used to slow game down.
I do think switching balls all the time could be used to slow game down.
Pitcher asking for different ball
- Thread starter T.J.
- Start date
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It is my understanding the rule is to stop pitchers from playing around and slowing the game down constantly trying to get a particular ball. Much like the situation in the original post, girl constantly asking for a different ball. Or, like a game I had last year where at the pregame meeting the home coach informed my partner his pitcher liked to throw I think it was Champ balls or something like that and the visiting team liked to throw Dudleys so they were going to switch out balls every half inning. I was astounded when my partner agreed and we had to go through a ball changing ritual every half inning.
- Jun 22, 2008
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It is a matter of fairness. Balls are provided As long as they are approved balls, they are good to go. As has previously been noted, the first inning ball rotation is a given for the purpose of getting the balls provided for the game get in early and not "appear" at an important situation later in the game. After that, the pitcher will throw the ball that comes out of the bag.
AFA what the pitcher wants, who cares? What about what the batters want to hit? You know what, don't care. The reason there is a rule is to avoid the chicken-bleep head games. I have seen coaches try to get a ball from their dugout into the game. The umpire is trying to figure out how he had an extra ball in his bag.
It is the luck of the draw for everybody which is the fairest method for all concerned.
AFA what the pitcher wants, who cares? What about what the batters want to hit? You know what, don't care. The reason there is a rule is to avoid the chicken-bleep head games. I have seen coaches try to get a ball from their dugout into the game. The umpire is trying to figure out how he had an extra ball in his bag.
It is the luck of the draw for everybody which is the fairest method for all concerned.
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Not to slow down game. She's regarded as one of the top pitchers in our local area, and well respected. My guess is she wanted the ball with seems she felt comfortable gripping.
This was not a timed game, nor do I think her agenda was to slow the game down or create pauses. I just think she preferred a certain ball in the rotation of game balls.
- Jun 12, 2015
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This is why mine does it. Grip issues. It takes all of 7 seconds so it doesn't slow things down very much. She doesn't do it often but sometimes she gets a ball that just doesn't feel right.
And what does she do when she runs into an umpire that is actually following the rules and doesn't allow her to change the ball?
- Jun 12, 2015
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She's had to pitch with balls she doesn't like plenty of times. She can do it. But if the umpire doesn't mind her swapping them out, she'll do that if she gets one that feels too slick or the seams are too low. Those are the 2 things she usually swaps out for when she does it.
- May 17, 2012
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This is a clear violation of the rules. I realize this happens all of the time in travel ball.
- Jun 12, 2015
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If the umpire isn't enforcing it, and the other team doesn't care or object, I don't see the problem. I've seen other girls do the same thing. I think it's probably more so at younger ages (we're 12U) where they're still learning and little things like seam difference feel like they can throw them off more so than later, when they have more experience.
