On-Deck Batter

[jnazz]

Where does the first batter of the inning need to be when warming up?

I was working a Legion U19 doubleheader on the weekend. In my plate game I noticed the first batter of the inning (for the home team only) was creeping towards the plate to better time the pitcher. Before the first inning he was just outside the dirt circle and the leadoff hitter in the second inning tried to warm up in the circle. I immediatly shut it down and restricted them to the on-deck circle until we were ready. The HC didn't notice my actions in the first inning but immediatly came out to argue when he saw it happen before the start of the second. He insisted that they could be wherever they wanted. I told him the lead off batter was under the same stipulations as all on-deck hitters and had to stay in the on-deck circle.

When I spoke with my partner after the game he told me they do it all the time and it had never been an issue. Now that I'm at home I can't find any literature on where the first batter of the inning can be. Did I get it right? Is he under the same rules as any on-deck hitter?

[mstaylor]

Ondeck it is. If you feel like it tell them about the college that got drilled for the same thing. Pro prospect, done, major lawsuits.

[ukce1861]

If you're playing FED rules, it's 3-3-3 in the rulebook and 3.3.3 in the case book.