January 11, 2015

Pace of play will be a point of emphasis for the 2015 season

• 60 seconds between half innings and keeping the batter in the batter box between pitches

• Know the difference between NFHS, NCAA and ORB—there are huge differences

Enforcement of these rules can be a game management issue and should be handled as outlined in this presentation

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The NFHS baseball committee identified these areas in need of improvements that detract from efficient game management:

• Handling offensive and defensive charged conferences in a timely manner

• Speeding up the time between innings (1 minute) and during pitching changes

• Maintaining the time between pitches/play (20 seconds)• Umpires diligently counting the number of warm-up

pitches• The batter’s box rule (the batter must keep one foot in

the box during an at-bat)

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The batter swings at the pitchThe batter is forced out of the box by the pitchThe batter attempts a “drag bunt”The pitcher or catcher feints or attempts a play at any baseThe pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound or takes a position more than five feet from the pitcher’s plate after receiving the ballA member of either team requests and is granted “time”The catcher leaves the catcher’s box to adjust his equipment or give defensive signalsThe catcher does not catch the pitched ball

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SITUATION 14: How many pitches and with how much time do pitchers have to complete their warm-up throws?

RULING: The starting pitcher and any relief pitcher may warm-up by using not more than eight throws completed in one minute timed from the first throw. A pitcher who was the pitcher in the prior inning may warm up by using not more than five throws completed in one minute timed from the third out of the previous half inning. (6-2-2c Exception)NOTE: it appears the 2014 case book situation 6.2.2E (b) states incorrectly an incoming relief pitcher’s time limit begins at the conclusion of the final out of the previous half inning from the prior half inning.

SITUATION 15: Smith, who was the starting pitcher, takes the mound in the fifth inning and takes his five warm-up throws. After getting B1 out, he changes positions with the first baseman, Lewis, who takes his eight warm-up throws. Lewis gets B2 to pop out and Smith now returns to pitch. How many warm-up throws is Smith allowed?

RULING: When Smith became a first baseman, he obviously no longer was the pitcher in the game. When he legally returns to pitch later in the same inning, he is considered to be a relief pitcher. Accordingly, Smith is allowed up to eight warm up throws to be completed in one minute timed from the first throw. (6-2-2c)

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SITUATION: Between innings, the coach of team A walks from the third base’s coaching box to the pitcher’s mound and proceeds to visit with F1 while he warms up.• RULING: F1 has one minute to

complete his warm up throws. At that point, the coach should leave the field of play. The umpire may/will access the coach a charged conference if he delays leaving the field.

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2014 CASE BOOK 6.2.2 SITUATIONC: F1, who was a base runner in his half of innings, is slow in coming out to take his warm up throws. The umpire refuses to permit him to warm up, stating he used his one minute allotment.RULING: The umpire is correct. The one minute time limit begins at the conclusion of the final out of the previous half inning. However, in the above situation, the umpire should use good judgment enforcing this rule.PLAY QUESTION: Is F1 allowed more throws than five or eight if he performs them within the one minute limit? ANSWER: NO….eight pitches max for starter or relief and five max for returning pitcher are the maximum.2014 CASE BOOK 6.2.2 SITUATION D: with R1 on second base, F1, in the set position, suddenly turns, steps, and makes a legal feint to F4 in an effort to drive R1 back to the base.RULING: Even though the 20 second period may have elapsed during the play, there is no penalty. The count restarts once F1 returns to the pitcher’s plate. This rule is intended to maintain the flow of the game with continuous action and to eliminate “dead’ periods of inactivity.

The umpire is authorized to allow more pitches when the weather is inclement or if F1 is removed because of injury and S1 did not have time to warm up before entering. If the pitcher is injured and the requirements of the pitching-substitution rule have not been met, or if his replacement needs more than warm up throws than permitted by rule, the replaced pitcher MAY NOT return to the mound in that game. He may return at any other position (rule 3.1.2)CASE BOOK 3.1.2 SITUATION B: While taking his warm up pitches prior to the start of the fourth inning F1 develops a blister on his index finger and is replaced as pitcher.RULING: S1 is allowed eight warm up throws. If S1 only takes eight warm up pitches F1 may return to pitcher; otherwise, if S1 requires more than eight F1 will not be allowed to return as pitcher in this game.

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This is a game management issue. The pitcher may not unnecessarily delay the game (R 6.2.2).The pitcher is required (within 20 seconds) to deliver a pitch or make a play /feint within 20 seconds after he receives the ball, with or without runners. Do not allow a batter to cause the pace of play to slow. A batter once he enters the box is required to keep one foot in the box during his time at bat (8 exceptions). Count pitches between innings.Do not balk a pitcher when there is confusion about the batter being in the box.

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Goal: To have the batter in the box ready to hit and the pitcher on the mound (rubber) ready to deliver a pitch within 60 seconds of the 3rd out of the last half inning.Mechanics: When the last outfielder crosses his foul line, BU will start his stop watch while standing in short right field. At 30 seconds, BU will raise his right arm (think stopping the clock in basketball) at this point PU will give a 30 second Pace of Play Warning to BOTH teams.Penalty: If the batter isn’t in the box, first occurrence—written warning, any other occurrence for the remainder of the game, a strike will be called on the batter. If the pitcher isn’t on the mound, first occurrence—written warning, any other occurrence for the remainder of the game, a ball will be called on the batter.

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Pace of Play is a point of emphasis and will be enforced in all contestsStart 60 second mechanic when the outfielder reaches foul lineEnforce batters box ruleIssue written warning firstDon’t cause a problem, where there is none

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Questions?

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