Unfortunately, that isn't what the rule says - the first part any way. It doesn't say anything about showing the ball. That's the whole "presentation" myth that rears it's head every now and then. The rule says that the "hands must come together" for no less than one second and no more than ten seconds. The pitcher is never required to "show" the ball. She has to step on the plate and take her signal (or simulate taking a signal) with her hands apart. She can do so with the ball in her glove. The pitch doesn't officially start until the hands break (the 1-10 second aspect), and if the ball isn't visable to anyone before the hands separate, she is perfectly legal.
Should I Protest Game?
- Thread starter darrellw
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Unfortunately, that isn't what the rule says - the first part any way. It doesn't say anything about showing the ball. That's the whole "presentation" myth that rears it's head every now and then. The rule says that the "hands must come together" for no less than one second and no more than ten seconds. The pitcher is never required to "show" the ball. She has to step on the plate and take her signal (or simulate taking a signal) with her hands apart. She can do so with the ball in her glove. The pitch doesn't officially start until the hands break (the 1-10 second aspect), and if the ball isn't visable to anyone before the hands separate, she is perfectly legal.
- Jun 22, 2008
- 3,438
- 48
Lot of good points in this thread.
An illegal pitch is a judgment call, therefore not a protestable call. However, the umpire recognizing the illegal actions and stating that this is not what they believe the rule to be is a misapplication of the rules and completely protestable.
Other than player eligibility, protests must be made prior to the next pitch, legal or illegal, or play.
The "present the ball" myth is exactly that, a myth. Don't know where people come up with this unless they remember it from there days playing whiffle ball in the neighborhood lot.
Bringing a rule book on the field can quickly change one's agenda for that day. An umpire going to the rule book during a game for one team rarely works out well. If a coach "knows" the rule, protest immediately. That way a UIC/Tournament or League Director makes the decision, not the umpire. In leagues that do not have someone available in that type of position, protests are either resolved on the field or afterwards by a committee. If on the field, THEN you produce the rule book and review the rule on the field with a single coach from both teams. That way it is out in the open and no other questions to be asked.
A few on here seem to talk about getting the short end of the stick or being treated like second-class citizens. Well, when it comes to fields and facilities, there isn't much to argue when it is a tangible. However, umpires are another story.
Too many people get involved in softball with a "Field of Dreams" mentality that, "If I schedule it, officials will come." Umpire associations do not turn down work for their members just to keep teams/leagues/tournaments in their place.
There are areas of this country that have plenty of umpires, but three times as many that do not. Last year was the first year in more than a decade that ASA umpire registrations did not decline. In the previous fifteen years, ASA's umpire registrations dropped near a thousand a year. I believe much of last year's turnaround was attributed to the economy.
In most areas, an umpire doesn't sit at home on any given day unless they choose to do so. If your league only has one umpire per game, there is only two possible reasons. Either there are no other umpires available or your league is not willing to pay for one. A couple other things many people do not realize. Umpires have lives outside softball and many, if they want to stay married and/or employed, must put time aside for wife, family and job.
Umpires also do not have a dog in the fight. They umpire for the love of the game and/or the money. Many softball organization members come and go as their daughters play. Thankfully, there is usually one or two who love softball and stays involved with an organization whether they have a daughter involved or not. That person will tell you the turnover ratio in the umpire ranks pale to that of any given softball organization.
New umpires need someplace to start. You can train them until the cows come home, but nothing prepares a newbie for live game situations. Most umpires are lost in the first two years. If they show up for the third year, retention possiblities increase drastically. The reason most given by those who abandon the vocation is their reluctance to deal with abusive coaches and fans. Granted, this happens more in SP than FP, but don't think for a minute this is solely a SP problem.
I doubt there is anyone on this board that either have a coach or fans like this in their organization OR have played teams that do. It is a shame, but it is also a reality. A resolution to this problem would be for local softball organizations to help the local umpire group develop an youth umpire program within their own org. Some have done this very successfully, others would rather try to pay someone else to deal with what they consider a necessary evil.
Sorry for the long post.
An illegal pitch is a judgment call, therefore not a protestable call. However, the umpire recognizing the illegal actions and stating that this is not what they believe the rule to be is a misapplication of the rules and completely protestable.
Other than player eligibility, protests must be made prior to the next pitch, legal or illegal, or play.
The "present the ball" myth is exactly that, a myth. Don't know where people come up with this unless they remember it from there days playing whiffle ball in the neighborhood lot.
Bringing a rule book on the field can quickly change one's agenda for that day. An umpire going to the rule book during a game for one team rarely works out well. If a coach "knows" the rule, protest immediately. That way a UIC/Tournament or League Director makes the decision, not the umpire. In leagues that do not have someone available in that type of position, protests are either resolved on the field or afterwards by a committee. If on the field, THEN you produce the rule book and review the rule on the field with a single coach from both teams. That way it is out in the open and no other questions to be asked.
A few on here seem to talk about getting the short end of the stick or being treated like second-class citizens. Well, when it comes to fields and facilities, there isn't much to argue when it is a tangible. However, umpires are another story.
Too many people get involved in softball with a "Field of Dreams" mentality that, "If I schedule it, officials will come." Umpire associations do not turn down work for their members just to keep teams/leagues/tournaments in their place.
There are areas of this country that have plenty of umpires, but three times as many that do not. Last year was the first year in more than a decade that ASA umpire registrations did not decline. In the previous fifteen years, ASA's umpire registrations dropped near a thousand a year. I believe much of last year's turnaround was attributed to the economy.
In most areas, an umpire doesn't sit at home on any given day unless they choose to do so. If your league only has one umpire per game, there is only two possible reasons. Either there are no other umpires available or your league is not willing to pay for one. A couple other things many people do not realize. Umpires have lives outside softball and many, if they want to stay married and/or employed, must put time aside for wife, family and job.
Umpires also do not have a dog in the fight. They umpire for the love of the game and/or the money. Many softball organization members come and go as their daughters play. Thankfully, there is usually one or two who love softball and stays involved with an organization whether they have a daughter involved or not. That person will tell you the turnover ratio in the umpire ranks pale to that of any given softball organization.
New umpires need someplace to start. You can train them until the cows come home, but nothing prepares a newbie for live game situations. Most umpires are lost in the first two years. If they show up for the third year, retention possiblities increase drastically. The reason most given by those who abandon the vocation is their reluctance to deal with abusive coaches and fans. Granted, this happens more in SP than FP, but don't think for a minute this is solely a SP problem.
I doubt there is anyone on this board that either have a coach or fans like this in their organization OR have played teams that do. It is a shame, but it is also a reality. A resolution to this problem would be for local softball organizations to help the local umpire group develop an youth umpire program within their own org. Some have done this very successfully, others would rather try to pay someone else to deal with what they consider a necessary evil.
Sorry for the long post.
