Pitcher asking for different ball

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Oct 19, 2009
1,023
38
I'm right here.
In High School Ball...Pitcher on opposing team frequently asked the umpire for a different ball to pitch with.

Game conditions are ideal...no rain, no fuss, no muss. Meaning the ball isn't wet or damaged.

Is there a rule about this? It was my understanding the same ball must stay in play until it leaves the playing area.

Thanks,

T
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
I am pretty sure they get to choose before they start their half inning to pitch. They must do so before warming up.

There was some odd rule about if both balls haven't been put in play in bottom of the first you must use the new ball.

Once they pick a ball they have to use it until it goes out of play. You just can't switch balls whenever.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
How many balls do they even have to use?

We start the game with two new balls. I do bring a couple backups just in case, but I've never used more than the two.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
NFHS Rules 6.5 BALL ROTATION:

ART. 1 . . . The pitcher has a choice of balls at the start of each half inning unless both balls do not get put into play. In that case, the pitcher in the bottom of the first inning must throw the unused ball. Thereafter, the ball in play should be returned to the 16-foot circle after every half inning.
ART. 2 . . . The pitcher may request the other ball before throwing a warm-up pitch by giving the ball in her possession to the plate umpire, the pitcher has now made a choice and must pitch that ball until such time as the ball goes out of play or becomes blocked.

I am not changing out the ball just because I was asked unless it is damaged, wet, mishaped or some other reason. But I am fairly liberal about what the reason is unless the requests are getting excessive (such as changing the ball every time the pitcher gives up a hit). Others may be more strict. Others less.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
My DD swaps out balls fairly regularly. She said brand new balls often feel slippery, and some of the seams feel different from others, more raised (her preference). If there are a couple being thrown about and she ends up with one she doesn't like she'll call time and swap it out.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
How many balls do they even have to use?

We start the game with two new balls. I do bring a couple backups just in case, but I've never used more than the two.

If weather has been lousy the opposing coach or us will pull a couple of the best balls out of the bucket, everyone approves them and off we go. With the 2 new ones too.

We have never opened up more then 2 new balls for a game.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Umpires allowing pitchers to switch out balls at will are not following the ball rotation rule. Game starts with 1 ball in play, if that ball does not go out of play in the top of first inning, the pitcher in the bottom half of the inning MUST pitch with the unused ball. After that at the beginning of each half inning, the pitcher can ask for a different ball BEFORE they throw a warm up pitch. If they do throw a pitch they have made their decision and must use that ball. They also cannot have both balls at once, if they ask for a different ball then again they have made their decision and cannot keep asking for more balls. Once a ball is in play it stays in play until it either goes out of play or the umpire deems it to be unplayable. As far as I know the rule is the same in all rule sets I am aware of except NCAA.
 
Jul 22, 2015
851
93
What would be the point of not changing the ball simply because the pitcher didn't like it? I've never seen an umpire refuse to but I also didn't know there was any rule regarding switching.
 
Aug 29, 2011
2,581
83
NorCal
Is there a reason for this rule? I'm genuinely just curious. Or is one of those things that "it's the rule, because it's the rule dang it!"

It seems odd the pitcher can't just ask for ball of preference but maybe there's a good reason for it I'm just not seeing.
 

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