Illegal Pitch.

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May 15, 2008
1,913
113
Cape Cod Mass.
We are in the top of the 5th inning and getting pounded. My pitcher inadvertently steps on the rubber with her hands together and throws the pitch. I know it's an illegal pitch, I am not happy with the umpire since it's been 4+ innings and it's not a regular part of her motion. My question is this; the umpire put up his hand because it's a delayed call and the offensive coach will get his choice of the pitch or the result should the ball be put in play, but if my pitcher steps back off the rubber and restarts the correct way will the illegal pitch call still be enforced?
 
Jan 11, 2015
78
18
We are in the top of the 5th inning and getting pounded. My pitcher inadvertently steps on the rubber with her hands together and throws the pitch. I know it's an illegal pitch, I am not happy with the umpire since it's been 4+ innings and it's not a regular part of her motion. My question is this; the umpire put up his hand because it's a delayed call and the offensive coach will get his choice of the pitch or the result should the ball be put in play, but if my pitcher steps back off the rubber and restarts the correct way will the illegal pitch call still be enforced?
Yes. If there is no pitch thrown then there is only the option of penalty enforcement. Not sure if all rules have gotten rid of the base advancement or not.

Stepping on the plate with hands together is illegal. It's one of the many bullet points the pitcher must do correctly before the pitch is started. If they fail any one of them then it's an illegal pitch. Rules call for it to be signaled when it happens but not to stop action. That's why it's a delayed dead ball. Even if the pitcher steps off the plate.
 
May 29, 2015
3,731
113
We are in the top of the 5th inning and getting pounded. My pitcher inadvertently steps on the rubber with her hands together and throws the pitch. I know it's an illegal pitch, I am not happy with the umpire since it's been 4+ innings and it's not a regular part of her motion. My question is this; the umpire put up his hand because it's a delayed call and the offensive coach will get his choice of the pitch or the result should the ball be put in play, but if my pitcher steps back off the rubber and restarts the correct way will the illegal pitch call still be enforced?

Can I just ask about that part ... why are you upset with the umpire for enforcing the rules?
 
May 29, 2015
3,731
113
Do you believe that every rule must be strictly enforced or does the umpire have the right to use his own judgement?

So you were mad that your team was losing AND your pitcher committed an illegal pitch, but the umpire is wrong because ... ?

New run rule: if a team is down by 10 in the 5th inning, all rules are off. Kind of like The Purge.

Here is my theory on illegal pitches in that scenario ... If I don't call it, the player doesn't learn, and you go into the next game and say "Nobody has called that all year!" If your pitcher doesn't appreciate the help and you don't appreciate the help, then next umpire will.
 
Mar 14, 2017
453
43
Michigan
Do you believe that every rule must be strictly enforced or does the umpire have the right to use his own judgement?

I'm with you. Not all rules need to be enforced. Umpires should use judgement on what to enforce. Some examples...

The home team pays me. In my judgement that's nice, so I give them 5 outs.

If a player brings me water on a hot day, then in my judgement she should be called safe even when she's obviously out as an act of returning the kindness.

If the visiting coach is a hot Milf in my judgement then they get 7 outs, and 9 if she agrees to meet me behind the concession stand between games.

If in my judgement the coach questions too many calls then their batters only get one strike.

If in my opinion a coach literally expects me throw out portions of the rule book and randomly apply rules based on my personal judgements then I tell them to spend more time teaching proper pitching mechanics and less time complaining in online forums.
 
Dec 15, 2018
809
93
CT
I did a 17u baseball game on Monday…tag play at 3b, though the throw beat him by a mile, the kid did an amazing swim move to avoid the tag….safe. Coach’s argument was “he did everything he was supposed to do, put down the tag and showed the ball”…Everything but actually apply the tag, coach…
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
Do you believe that every rule must be strictly enforced or does the umpire have the right to use his own judgement?
Are you questioning the umps judgement because he called an illegal pitch on a pitcher who just committed an illegal pitch?
It’s not his judgement I am questioning.
 

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