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Some pretty heated discussion on this one. It seems to come up every year, and has been beat up each year. Here is the ruling from EVERY authority out there including LL, PONY, USSSA, Evans, R/R, etc.
All the arguments about 'unoccupied base', the plate being a BASE, clear intent to APPEAL, etc. are all good points, and if the truth were know... I agree with the position you can make an appeal from the rubber to the plate. However, I (we) are in the minority. The consensus and rulings are:
If the pitcher while in contact with the pitching plate, delivers the ball to the catcher, with a Batter in the box, it shall be considered a PITCH (or an Illegal Pitch/ Balk depending on the situation). If there is NO Batter in the box, the Pitcher MAY appeal from the rubber to the plate, although it is not a good idea or practice. In effect, this is no different than a pitcher requesting a new ball prior to the next batter entering the box, and without requesting 'time', he throws the ball to the catcher. Time IS NOT out in this situation until the Umpire either take the old ball from the catcher, or take a new ball from his bag (when the umpire holds the ball time shall be out... by rule). The presents of a Batter in the box, is the test, and MUST be strictly adhered to. Although I believe the umpire can request the Batter to vacate the box, allowing for the appeal (I see this as a 'Game Management' issue and not assistance), there is a thought line out there among umpires, that feels the Umpire is ASSISTING the defense with their appeal id he does this.
Hope this helps.
BATMAN
All the arguments about 'unoccupied base', the plate being a BASE, clear intent to APPEAL, etc. are all good points, and if the truth were know... I agree with the position you can make an appeal from the rubber to the plate. However, I (we) are in the minority. The consensus and rulings are:
If the pitcher while in contact with the pitching plate, delivers the ball to the catcher, with a Batter in the box, it shall be considered a PITCH (or an Illegal Pitch/ Balk depending on the situation). If there is NO Batter in the box, the Pitcher MAY appeal from the rubber to the plate, although it is not a good idea or practice. In effect, this is no different than a pitcher requesting a new ball prior to the next batter entering the box, and without requesting 'time', he throws the ball to the catcher. Time IS NOT out in this situation until the Umpire either take the old ball from the catcher, or take a new ball from his bag (when the umpire holds the ball time shall be out... by rule). The presents of a Batter in the box, is the test, and MUST be strictly adhered to. Although I believe the umpire can request the Batter to vacate the box, allowing for the appeal (I see this as a 'Game Management' issue and not assistance), there is a thought line out there among umpires, that feels the Umpire is ASSISTING the defense with their appeal id he does this.
Hope this helps.
BATMAN
----- Original Message -----
From: russkyl49
To: WRLLUmpires@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WRLLUmpires] Appeal from the rubber
Date: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:08:56 -0000
This is from one of our umps who just joined the board. It happened in our first tournament game, majors.
Runner misses home. Catcher without the ball, it never came in, says out loud he missed home. Manager calls time out to talk with the pitcher. The catcher tells the manager the runner missed the base. Manager yells to PU that hey I want to appeal that play. PU informs manager the ball must be live for any appeal. The manager returns, Pitcher toes the rubber, PU says play. Without disengaging the rubber the pitchers throws an outside pitch to the catcher.
What have you got, Ball to the batter, Illegal pitch ball to the batter, proper appeal, batter is out.
Russ
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