Pitching Rule 8.02

[Mad Mike]

Question:

 

This is the exact verbage from OBR Rule 8.02:

8.02 The pitcher shall not—

(a) (1) While in the 18-foot circle surrounding the pitcher’s plate, touch the ball after

touching his mouth or lips, or touch his mouth or lips while he is in contact

with the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher must clearly wipe the fingers of his pitching hand dry before touching the ball or the pitcher’s plate. EXCEPTION:

Provided it is agreed to by both managers, the umpire prior to the start of a

game played in cold weather, may permit the pitcher to blow on his hand.

PENALTY: For violation of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately remove the ball from play and issue a warning to the pitcher. Any subsequent violation shall be called a ball. However, if the pitch is made and a batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a hit batsman or otherwise, and no

other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation. Repeat offenders shall be subject to a

fine by the League President.

 

If I interpret this correctly, this would mean we could kill this before the pitch, warn, and/or award a ball if it was a repeat violation, correct? 

 

Are there any circumstances, short of no runners on base, that would cause us to let the pitch continue?

 

It just seems like it is best to kill it before a pitch is made to avoid more argument(s) and confusion.

 

[JaxRolo]

What if the Batter gets a Home Run because the pitcher pitched anyway.

 

Are you going to disallow the HR?

[semper_fi_72]

If you don't call it before the pitch is made, be ready for a big problem.

Why would you ever wait until after the pitch?

[noumpere]

Right.  Kill it first.  If for some reason you can't (I suppose some weird play where the pitcher goes to the mouth during the windup and then gets the ball out of the glove) enforce that part of the rule.

[maven]

Think of it this way:

 

What's the violation, pitching after going to the mouth, or going to the mouth?

 

That tells you when to kill it.

[soupcan]

If at all possible, kill it. If that is not an option, let the pitcher proceed and then make a ruling after play has stopped.

 

My question is if you issue a warning, is that for just that pitcher or is it a warning that applies to all pitchers for that team for the remainder of the game?

[BigUmp56]

If at all possible, kill it. If that is not an option, let the pitcher proceed and then make a ruling after play has stopped.

 

My question is if you issue a warning, is that for just that pitcher or is it a warning that applies to all pitchers for that team for the remainder of the game?

 Given that it's usually just a nervous tick by pitchers at the levels I work, we give each pitcher a warning. After being given a warning we don't see them do it again in the same game very often.

 

Tim.