pitching rule ?
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Is that if and when the batter steps into the box....when the 20 seconds starts, or just when the ball is back to her?
- Jun 18, 2010
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USSSA:
K. Once the ball has been returned to the pitcher to prepare for the next pitch
or the Umpire says “play”, the pitcher has 20 seconds to release the next
pitch.
PENALTY: Dead ball; a ball on the batter
C. While in this position, the pitcher shall take (or simulate taking) a signal
from the catcher.
D. After completing “C” above, the pitcher shall bring the hands together in
front of the body for not more than 10 seconds before releasing the ball.
The hands may be motionless or moving.
Note: Before the pitch starts, the pitcher may remove them self from the
pitching position by stepping back from the pitcher’s plate with both feet
(either foot may be removed first) or by requesting time.
ASA:
M. The pitcher has 20 seconds to release the next pitch after receiving the ball
or after the umpire indicates "play ball."
E: The pitcher shall bring the hands together for not less than one second
and not more than 10 seconds before releasing it.
NCAA:
10.18 Time Allowed Between Pitches
The pitcher must be on the pitcher’s plate and the batter in the batter’s box within
10 seconds after the pitcher receives the ball in preparation to pitch or after the
umpire calls, “Play ball.” After both the pitcher and batter are in position, the
pitcher has 10 seconds to bring her hands together. The pitcher has not more than
five seconds to deliver the pitch.
K. Once the ball has been returned to the pitcher to prepare for the next pitch
or the Umpire says “play”, the pitcher has 20 seconds to release the next
pitch.
PENALTY: Dead ball; a ball on the batter
C. While in this position, the pitcher shall take (or simulate taking) a signal
from the catcher.
D. After completing “C” above, the pitcher shall bring the hands together in
front of the body for not more than 10 seconds before releasing the ball.
The hands may be motionless or moving.
Note: Before the pitch starts, the pitcher may remove them self from the
pitching position by stepping back from the pitcher’s plate with both feet
(either foot may be removed first) or by requesting time.
ASA:
M. The pitcher has 20 seconds to release the next pitch after receiving the ball
or after the umpire indicates "play ball."
E: The pitcher shall bring the hands together for not less than one second
and not more than 10 seconds before releasing it.
NCAA:
10.18 Time Allowed Between Pitches
The pitcher must be on the pitcher’s plate and the batter in the batter’s box within
10 seconds after the pitcher receives the ball in preparation to pitch or after the
umpire calls, “Play ball.” After both the pitcher and batter are in position, the
pitcher has 10 seconds to bring her hands together. The pitcher has not more than
five seconds to deliver the pitch.
Comp, does the time the batter utilizes when taking a sign, looking at their bat, etc go against the 20 seconds?
Not trying to start a rucus, but just yesterday we encountered a bit of sniping about 20 seconds. DD gets the ball back, waits for the batter to take her sign, tap her cleats, say a few words to her bat and then step into the batter's box (didn't time it, but had to be well over 15-20 seconds at times). DD immediately steps onto the pitcher's plate, takes a sign and delivers the ball . Opposing coach starts chirping "20 second rule, 20 second rule".
thanks
Not trying to start a rucus, but just yesterday we encountered a bit of sniping about 20 seconds. DD gets the ball back, waits for the batter to take her sign, tap her cleats, say a few words to her bat and then step into the batter's box (didn't time it, but had to be well over 15-20 seconds at times). DD immediately steps onto the pitcher's plate, takes a sign and delivers the ball . Opposing coach starts chirping "20 second rule, 20 second rule".
thanks
- Jun 18, 2010
- 2,615
- 38
...not speaking for comp...
Sec 8. A batter shall not delay the game by failing to promptly take his position in
the batter’s box within 10 seconds of the pitcher having the ball in the pitching
circle, or by stepping out of the box when the pitcher is on the pitcher’s plate.
PENALTY: If a pitcher is committed to delivering the pitch, the batter leaves
the box at the risk of having a strike called while being out of position. For
failure of the batter to be ready within 10 seconds after the ball has been
returned to the pitcher, the Umpire shall call a strike. If it is the third strike, the
Umpire shall call time and declare the batter out.
NOTE 1: After entering the batter’s box, the batter leaves it at the risk of being
charged with delay. The batter may request time-out if he desires to step out for
a valid reason and, if granted, the 10 seconds count will begin anew when the
ball is declared live. The Umpire is authorized to refuse to grant time-out if the
batter repeatedly causes delay or if his leaving the batter’s box appears to be an
attempt to worry the pitcher or to gain some other advantage.
NOTE 2: If the pitcher stops or hesitates in his delivery as a result of the batter
stepping out of the box or holding up his hand to request time, it shall not be an
illegal pitch. However, if the batter steps out of the box or holds up his hand to
request time and the pitcher legally delivers the ball, it shall be called a strike
and the ball remains live. If a pitch is not delivered, a rule has been violated by
both the batter and the pitcher. The Umpire shall call time, declare, “no-pitch”
and begin play again. If the Umpire judges the batter’s action to be a deliberate
attempt to create an illegal pitch, the Umpire shall penalize according to the
Sportsmanship Rule (11.2.Q).
Sec 8. A batter shall not delay the game by failing to promptly take his position in
the batter’s box within 10 seconds of the pitcher having the ball in the pitching
circle, or by stepping out of the box when the pitcher is on the pitcher’s plate.
PENALTY: If a pitcher is committed to delivering the pitch, the batter leaves
the box at the risk of having a strike called while being out of position. For
failure of the batter to be ready within 10 seconds after the ball has been
returned to the pitcher, the Umpire shall call a strike. If it is the third strike, the
Umpire shall call time and declare the batter out.
NOTE 1: After entering the batter’s box, the batter leaves it at the risk of being
charged with delay. The batter may request time-out if he desires to step out for
a valid reason and, if granted, the 10 seconds count will begin anew when the
ball is declared live. The Umpire is authorized to refuse to grant time-out if the
batter repeatedly causes delay or if his leaving the batter’s box appears to be an
attempt to worry the pitcher or to gain some other advantage.
NOTE 2: If the pitcher stops or hesitates in his delivery as a result of the batter
stepping out of the box or holding up his hand to request time, it shall not be an
illegal pitch. However, if the batter steps out of the box or holds up his hand to
request time and the pitcher legally delivers the ball, it shall be called a strike
and the ball remains live. If a pitch is not delivered, a rule has been violated by
both the batter and the pitcher. The Umpire shall call time, declare, “no-pitch”
and begin play again. If the Umpire judges the batter’s action to be a deliberate
attempt to create an illegal pitch, the Umpire shall penalize according to the
Sportsmanship Rule (11.2.Q).
Good luck with finding an umpire that even knows these - much less calls them when they occur...
First let me make a slight correction. The 20 second rule has nothing to do with the ball being in the circle. No mention of the circle is even in the pitching rules. The rule is the pitcher has 20 seconds from recieving the ball or being directed to pitch by the umpire.
If the batter is piddling around wasting time I dont know why the other coach is chirping about the 20 second rule. But, there is no reason why your pitcher cant engage and take the signal while the batter is doing all their BS.
I personally do not make a habit out of timing pitchers and batters, but, if it becomes obvious they are taking longer than normal I will start counting to myself. I havent called it often, but I have busted both batters and pitchers for time violations. It usually only happens once or twice and the problem fixes itself.
- Jun 18, 2010
- 2,615
- 38
DOG310, DDs handles your situation this way.... similar to what comp suggests.... As soon as she gets the ball back, she is focused on the catcher and getting her next pitch signal. She steps on the pitchers plate, hands separated, and waits for the dilly dallying batter to get in the box. She will deliver the pitch as soon as the batter is set. Some other coaches have accused her of quick pitching, but as long as the umpire is ready and not signaling for time, she is not going to let the batter control the battle.
