Stopping the Clock

[SoCalDad]

USSSA Rules.

I was watching a game while waiting for DD's bracket game to start and saw this play go down. Bottom of 6th, 2 out, home team up by 1 run. Batter hits a line drive that hits the pitcher in the face, no mask. Girl goes down immediately (if you want to debate pitchers wearing face masks please do so in the pitching thread, this is a rules question). The girl is in serious condition. Takes about 10 minutes for the medical staff to triage the girl and get her off the field. During the time she was being treated and about 3 minutes after being hit the 1:30 clock timer went off. Once the player was taken off the file the umpire calls ball game. Visiting coach protests that the clock should not have been running as this was an injury situation and the clock should have been paused giving his team time to possibly get the last out and start the next inning. Was the umpire correct or should the clock have been paused?

 

[Ken Krause]

Not sure what the rule is, but I've always seen the umpires either stop the clock or even add a few minutes back after such a pause. I doubt the official rulebooks say anything because they don't usually account for a clock. That's a local rule put in by tournament directors to get more games in on a limited amount of fields.

 

[SoCalDad]

Not sure what the rule is, but I've always seen the umpires either stop the clock or even add a few minutes back after such a pause. I doubt the official rulebooks say anything because they don't usually account for a clock. That's a local rule put in by tournament directors to get more games in on a limited amount of fields.

I was thinking that this might not be covered by a rule but one thing I have learned from this board is to never assume anything when it comes to rules, there always seems to be something to cover every situation.

 

[Comp]

Locally we are instructed normal inuries that do not require emergency personell are considered to be normal parts of the game and the clock does not stop. However, if it becomes obvious the injury is more severe or the player cannot be removed from the field in a reasonable amount of time then the clock is to be stopped and restarted when play can resume.

 

[BretMan]

It's kind of funny because I was just thinking about this earlier today...

While there are rule books that say a clock may be used in games, I'm not aware of any rule book that offers any guidelines for administering the clock. They tell you how long a timed game should be and when to start the clock, but that's it. There is nothing about stopping it for injuries, lengthy arguments or the host of other things that might delay play.

Nor have I ever received any local instruction with regards to this. With nothing in writing, no published interpretations and no instruction on stopping the clock, it's no wonder that umpires might handle this in different and unexpected ways from one game to another!

With respect to the first post...when the coach "protested" that the clock was not stopped...exactly which rule did he think he was protesting (since there isn't one)?

 

[SoCalDad]

With respect to the first post...when the coach "protested" that the clock was not stopped...exactly which rule did he think he was protesting (since there isn't one)?

From the little I could hear he seemed to be arguing the rule, "it's not fair". As an ump I imagine you are familiar with this argument.

 

[Coach JV]

Isn't the health of an injured player more important than one last at
bat to chase a $2 trophy?

 

[GI Tom]

Isn't the health of an injured player more important than one last at
bat to chase a $2 trophy?

As an umpire, luckily I too have not run across a similar situation, nor I have ever been instructed on what to do in this type of situation. Next tournament I call (Next weekend) you know I'll be inquiring with the UIC. Hopefully I'll never run across this situation.

Now, with that being said, in response to Coach JV, what does finishing playing or not finishing playing have to do with the health of the injured player?

The OP was talking about after the injured player was cared for and taken off under the care of professionals. The health of the injured player was not at stake from continuing or ceasing play so I don't understand your question.

 

[FPMark]

Coaches trying to delay, and run out the clock was evidently a problem in USFA. They instituted a new rule last year that says the clock is to be stopped during any time out called during the last 5 minutes of the game. Haven't heard of any others doing it, but if teams like it, I wouldn't be surprised to see other sanctions do the same.

 

[SoCalDad]

Got an update on the injured pitcher from a parent on her team. Fractured right orbital socket and a concussion. Apparently got the concussion when she fell. Resting at home. Very lucky girl.