- May 29, 2015
- 3,834
- 113
So much of pace of play can be controlled by the umpire between innings 5 in a minute, even pitching changes, they get 8 pitches or 1 minute, whichever is shorter. I stand close to the catcher up one line or the other, if a pitch gets away, I feed the C another ball and grab the one that got away. The ONLY time I let it go more than 1 minute is if the C has to gear up and the defense has someone else out to warm up the P, I always have this warmer-upper (trademarked) take 3 and leave 2 for the C, one and coming down. My biggest question is why in all that is holy does an umpire have a stool on the field?
No.
I do love that you are standing by the catcher and providing a ball when one gets by. I didn't think about this, but I do do that. The other thing I do while I am standing there is count pitches and announce "3 ... 2 ... 1" to the defense and the upcoming batters.
I am mixed on your allowing it to go longer. Admittedly, I will do the same if it is legitimate. (I do love you telling them they only get 3 and the catcher needs to take the other 2!) However, I have noticed more and more teams trying to milk that to get extra pitches or time. NOTE: There is NO rule saying a catcher gets a throw down to second. (Side note: yes, as a catcher, I was ejected from a game for throwing the ball down to second base.)