not returning ball directly to pitcher?
- Thread starter corlay
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Its a rule in every softball rule set I am aware of.
NFHS has additional penalty like NCAA for repeat offenders.
2015 NFHS Rules - Rule 6 Pitching - SECTION 3 INFRACTIONS BY CATCHER (F.P.)
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ART. 2 . . . The catcher shall return the ball directly to the pitcher after each pitch, except after a strikeout or putout made by the catcher, or to play on a base runner.
PENALTY: (Art. 2) The batter is awarded a ball.
EXCEPTION: Intentionally violating the rule in order to walk the batter without pitching shall not result in a ball being awarded the batter. See 3-6-13 for additional penalties.
Rule 3 Players, Substitutes and Coaches - SECTION 6 BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT
ART. 13 . . . Unsporting acts shall not be committed, including, but not limited to:
a. use of words or actions to incite or try to incite spectators to demonstrate.
b. use of profanity, intimidation and/or deceitful tactics, or baiting or taunting; or
NOTE: The NFHS disapproves of any form of taunting which is intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule or demean others under any circumstances, including race, religion, gender or national origin.
c. behavior in any manner not in accordance with the spirit of fair play.
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PENALTY: (Arts. 11 through 16) The umpire shall eject the offender from the game, unless the offense is judged to be of a minor nature. If minor, the umpire may warn the offender and eject if the offense is repeated. (Arts. 11, 13) For coaches who violate, the umpire may restrict the offender to bench/dugout for the remainder of the game, or eject the offender.
2015 NFHS Rules - Rule 6 Pitching - SECTION 3 INFRACTIONS BY CATCHER (F.P.)
...
ART. 2 . . . The catcher shall return the ball directly to the pitcher after each pitch, except after a strikeout or putout made by the catcher, or to play on a base runner.
PENALTY: (Art. 2) The batter is awarded a ball.
EXCEPTION: Intentionally violating the rule in order to walk the batter without pitching shall not result in a ball being awarded the batter. See 3-6-13 for additional penalties.
Rule 3 Players, Substitutes and Coaches - SECTION 6 BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT
ART. 13 . . . Unsporting acts shall not be committed, including, but not limited to:
a. use of words or actions to incite or try to incite spectators to demonstrate.
b. use of profanity, intimidation and/or deceitful tactics, or baiting or taunting; or
NOTE: The NFHS disapproves of any form of taunting which is intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule or demean others under any circumstances, including race, religion, gender or national origin.
c. behavior in any manner not in accordance with the spirit of fair play.
...
PENALTY: (Arts. 11 through 16) The umpire shall eject the offender from the game, unless the offense is judged to be of a minor nature. If minor, the umpire may warn the offender and eject if the offense is repeated. (Arts. 11, 13) For coaches who violate, the umpire may restrict the offender to bench/dugout for the remainder of the game, or eject the offender.
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That portion of the rule in NFHS is pretty much useless now since they instituted the verbal walk rule.
It is actually illegal in any rule set to attempt to use one rule to circumvent another rule. If the rule book requires 4 pitches be delivered to the batter to intentionally walk them it is illegal to try and use the rule about returning the ball directly to the pitcher in order to walk them in only 2 pitches.
It is actually illegal in any rule set to attempt to use one rule to circumvent another rule. If the rule book requires 4 pitches be delivered to the batter to intentionally walk them it is illegal to try and use the rule about returning the ball directly to the pitcher in order to walk them in only 2 pitches.
- Nov 8, 2014
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I saw Nolan Ryan in his last game in Baltimore, go to his mouth and lick his fingers on a 3-0 count, to get the penalty 4th Ball. I thought it was brilliant.
