3.05d

[UmpTTS43]

Had a situation where this new rule could have come into play.

3.05d If a pitcher who is already in the game crosses the foul line on his way to take his place on the pitcher's plate to start an inning, he shall pitch to the first batter until such batter is put out or reaches first base, unless the batter is substituted for, or the pitcher sustains an injury or illness which, in the judgement of the umpire-in-chief, incapacitates him from pitching.

I am sure that I was the only one on the field that knew that this new rule was in place. Had to inform partners post game.

I'm PU. As soon as 3rd out is recorded for home team, I make eye contact with manager and he points to bullpen. I see new pitcher coming in and have this as a substitution. As new pitcher is coming in, previous pitcher leaves the dugout and heads to the mound. Old pitcher and new pitcher meet at the mound and old pitch leaves the game. I look to the visitor dugout for the unlikely event that their manager knows the new rule. I say nothing and let new pitcher come in.

My rationale for letting new pitcher in is because of the fact that I had this as a substitution prior to old pitch crossing the foul line. The spirit of the rule is so that the defense cannot buy time by having the old pitch come in while new pitch warms up. Since I had the substitution as legit, I did not see where the spirit of the rule was violated.

If old pitch would have crossed and went to the mound prior to new pitch being announced to me, I may have thought differently but would have ruled the same unless the opposing manager brought it up.

Something new every game.

[Rich Ives]

This new rule won't work in most youth leagues where the "old" pitcher is remaining in the game at another position and a player already in the game is the new pitcher. It won't work because the managers won't know they have to tell you before the team hits the field and quite franlky, should not have to because there's no delaying tactic involved. The "normal" procedure in a youth game is to provide the sub info as the team is doing its between inning warm-ups.

[cyclonehokiece]

Agree with Rich, if enforced as written nightmare in a youth game. Leagues will need to eventually clarify.