Player/Manager Rule

[tiger25]

Here is the situation: Catcher is rostered as the player/manager. The pitcher is throwing a 8 1/3 no hitter. He starts to have some control issues and walks a batter. Catcher goes out to talk to the pitcher. Pitcher eventually gives up a run and the catcher goes out to talk to the pitcher again (same inning). Opposing Manager appeals with umpire that since the catcher is the manager, he must pull the pitcher because of two "visits" in same inning. Umpire sides with opposing manager and rules the pitcher must be replaced. Is this correct or what is the official ruling on this?? :confused:

[johneng]

Depends what rules your going by. For OBR I am pretty sure that you cannot have a player be a manager. Going out on a limb, but I would consider this a visit by the manager. I have no, idea on what rules this was under though.

[tiger25]

This was an Amatuer baseball game.

[UmpJM]

johneng,

Though it is certainly not current "custom and practice" in MLB, there is no OBR rule that prohibits a player from being the manager.

In regard to Tiger's question, I found the following in JEA :

BASIC RULE #7: The Umpire Development Program interprets ANY VISIT TO THE MOUND BY A PLAYER-MANAGER as a TRIP. A player-coach may visit the pitcher without a trip being charged as long as the privilege is not abused.

JM

[Stan W.]

OBR certianly allows it....it certainly has MLB precedent.......frank robinson held the position.....and was not pete rose a player/manager for the Reds.....

[mstaylor]

I'm not sure about Rose but Frank certainly was. It used to happen years ago on a regular basis. I have had it happen in Men's league tournaments. We had one team that the manager caught part time and on those games he would assign his asst to be the manager for the game. I don't know that it was legal but we would discuss it at the plate meeting and no one ever complained.

[someoneinca]

According to the MLB Umpire Manual, anytime a player-manager goes to the mound, it is a visit. So in your case, the pitcher would have to be removed.

However, a player-coach may go to the mound without being charged with a visit unless he "abuses" the privilege. Then he is to be informed that when he goes to the mound in the future, he will be charged with a visit.

[eagle_12]

In the Men's league that I work:

If the manager is an infielder, F2 included, then they are permitted to go to the mound and visit the pitcher, as long as it is brief and terminated when directed by the umpire. It can turn into a charge conference if it goes beyond a reasonable amount of time. If the manager is in the outfield, its a charged conference

It difficult with the manager being F2 though becuase F2 usually will have an pretty healthy discussion with the pitcher. I would say best judgement. If the catcher jogs out to the pitcher and has a brief discussion (you'll know what Im talking about, how we pitching this guy, bear down, etc.) then no trip. If the whole infield is coming in and we're having a meeting, charge them. My advice is that its a feel/judgement thing.

[Jboval]

Rose was Player/Manager for the Reds for part of the '84 season, all of '85, and all of '86

[SanDiegoSteve]

Here is one reference to player-managers, concerning how they can still manage after being subbed for:

From Rule 3.03: ...If a substitute enters the game in place of a player-manager, the manager may thereafter go to the coaching lines at his discretion.