Improper Timeout Rule Change

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Sep 1, 2014
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In a recent game, I was coaching third base and turned around to notice that my runner on third had dropped to tie her shoe and the pitcher was about to deliver her pitch. I immediately called timeout to protect by baserunner. The pitcher stopped her motion. The umpire said that I should not have called timeout and assessed a strike on the batter even though the pitch was never delivered.

I questioned this and he said I should not have tried to stop play.

Then after fully understanding that I was trying to protect my baserunner, said I should be happy with the strike.

Was the umpire correct in assessing a strike on a pitch that was not thrown in this situation?
 
May 7, 2008
8,506
48
Tucson
What age group and association? At rec and 10u, the umpire may let it go. But, other than that - only the umpire can issue a time out.
 
Sep 1, 2014
85
8
What age group and association? At rec and 10u, the umpire may let it go. But, other than that - only the umpire can issue a time out.

It was a little league softball game. 12U. I wouldn’t expect to have a strike assessed since the pitcher did not pitch the ball.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Don't know little league rules, other rule sets have verbage about calling time or any other phrase designed to cause the pitcher to commit an illegal pitch but none have a penalty of a strike on the batter.
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
In a recent game, I was coaching third base and turned around to notice that my runner on third had dropped to tie her shoe and the pitcher was about to deliver her pitch. I immediately called timeout to protect by baserunner.

To start, the only person who has the authority to call time is the umpire and only the umpire

The pitcher stopped her motion. The umpire said that I should not have called timeout and assessed a strike on the batter even though the pitch was never delivered.

I questioned this and he said I should not have tried to stop play.

Then after fully understanding that I was trying to protect my baserunner, said I should be happy with the strike.

Want to protect your player, teach her to pay attention and be aware of the game situation.
Was the umpire correct in assessing a strike on a pitch that was not thrown in this situation?

No, it should have been declared a "no pitch".
 

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