Is there a rule against this?

[Concernedcitizen2]

Mariano being taken out by a trip to the mound by Jeter and Petitte.  Obviously, given the circumstances, the umpire wasn't going to intervene.  I know that a player is allowed to conduct a mound visit.  But is it okay for two players (not a player and a trainer or a player and an interpreter) to make a mound visit?

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/play?content_id=30974179&topic_id=11493214

[Boredcravens]

What a classy way to go out. I wouldn't have said a word of the entire team had gone out there.

[afaber12]

There's no rule that I know of that would prevent a player or players going to the mound from the field or the bench. Even if the rules say the manager himself must communicate substitutions/changes to the umpires, I know I'm not going to have an issue with it being communicated to me via a player.
 
We had a discussion about this, at least as far as a "visit" is concerned, at our last association meeting. Apparently in a recent game a player, I think the first baseman, called time, went to the mound and had a chat with the pitcher, the same as you might see any coach do. The plate umpire charged the team a visit, on the basis that the game was delayed by the call of time, and that though not formally listed as a coach the player acted as a coach. The recommendation was to use this benchmark, particularly in timed games, to limit delays, to avoid each player going in separately at different stages of the game, and to limit the possibility that messages are being passed from the manager or designated pitching coach to the pitcher via these other players.
 
The recommendation was for it to not apply to the catcher though, given it was in your interest as a plate umpire for the pitcher and catcher to be on the same page. Also, depending on the level of the game, you may want to pass quiet warnings/reminders to the pitcher - eg they're getting close to a no-stop balk, they're starting to get too demonstrative with calls they don't like, etc.
 
If you're concerned about the way its applied here, "coach" is defined pretty broadly in the rules:

2.00
A COACH is a team member in uniform appointed by the manager to perform such duties as the manager may designate, such as but not limited to acting as base coach.

 
Virtually anyone on the team could be considered a coach, even those not designated to do any coaching or coaching-related "duties".

 

Even if any ####head wanted to protest the situation with Rivera, Petite and Jeter, the defence could be that Jeter, as team captain, was talking to Rivera, and Petite was acting as position player/pitcher translator.

[maineump]

Who cares about the rule in this situation!

 

I am a life-long Red Sox fan and Yankee Hater ...... but this was CLASSY and a great way for him to leave the mound. I agree, he is headed for the Hall, and the best closer in history - he never had the Yankee attitude  .

 

Now if this was Bucky Dent or A-Rod - a different story!!

 

Kudos to the Yankees!

 

PS - this is the last time I say something nice about the yanks or I could lose my membership to the Red Sox Nation

[noumpere]

Its a good thing one of those other pitchers didn't accidentally touch the rubber or some here would require that pitcher to be in the game. (insert appropriate image here)

[Concernedcitizen2]

Obviously given the situation, I don't think anything could have happened, just wondering if it would be okay for a similar situation to happen in a random game in the middle of June.  Just curious as to the rule, in this situation I agree nothing should have been enforced.

[Dannytheman]

CLASS!!

[noumpere]

Obviously given the situation, I don't think anything could have happened, just wondering if it would be okay for a similar situation to happen in a random game in the middle of June.  Just curious as to the rule, in this situation I agree nothing should have been enforced.

Many of the rules are in the book because some one found a loophole and MLB decided to close it.  Since this had never really ben thought of before, it wasn't in the book.

 

If someone comes from the bench, its a visit.  If they come from the field, it isn't, unless its a player-manger.  If teams start sending multiple "coaches" out then it will be addressed.

 

Its a lot like the plate meeting -- its often a player who goes out, except for the first game of a series.

[zoops]

I hate the Yankees but I still choked up a little when I saw that.

[KLAH316]

Here is just my  on this thread.....

 

1.  I despise the Yankees as much as anyone.  When my D'Backs beat Rivera in Game 7 in 2001, it was one of the greatest moments in my SportsFan life!!!

2.  This was a great special moment.... Why must "What rule is it" always be the first thing many on here ask??  I still truly enjoy and love the game of baseball for what it is. When I see something like this, I think it's awesome as a baseball fan. 

 

Did anyone care what rule it was when in the middle of the 5th inning on 9/6/95 Cal Ripken Jr took a lap around Oriole Park and delayed the game over 20 minutes??  I know I didn't, I just sat there on my couch and enjoyed every minute of it.

 

Sorry all, there is just so much "Common Sense" things that go on in games that you Just have to Umpire sometimes!!!

[grayhawk]

Apparently in a recent game a player, I think the first baseman, called time, went to the mound and had a chat with the pitcher, the same as you might see any coach do. The plate umpire charged the team a visit, on the basis that the game was delayed by the call of time, and that though not formally listed as a coach the player acted as a coach. The recommendation was to use this benchmark, particularly in timed games, to limit delays, to avoid each player going in separately at different stages of the game, and to limit the possibility that messages are being passed from the manager or designated pitching coach to the pitcher via these other players.

 

Did this player come out of the dugout to visit the pitcher, or did he just walk to the mound from his position on the field?  I would not charge a trip if F3 walked from his position at 1st base to visit with F1.

[afaber12]

 

Apparently in a recent game a player, I think the first baseman, called time, went to the mound and had a chat with the pitcher, the same as you might see any coach do. The plate umpire charged the team a visit, on the basis that the game was delayed by the call of time, and that though not formally listed as a coach the player acted as a coach. The recommendation was to use this benchmark, particularly in timed games, to limit delays, to avoid each player going in separately at different stages of the game, and to limit the possibility that messages are being passed from the manager or designated pitching coach to the pitcher via these other players.

 

Did this player come out of the dugout to visit the pitcher, or did he just walk to the mound from his position on the field?  I would not charge a trip if F3 walked from his position at 1st base to visit with F1.

 

 

The story was that the fielder in question (not exactly sure on the position but definitely 3-6) called time and went to the mound from his position on the field. It was also clarified that it wasn't just a quick "keep your head up"/"get the next guy" and pat on the butt, but decent conversation of a length requiring the plate umpire to head out and break it up.

[grayhawk]

 

 

Apparently in a recent game a player, I think the first baseman, called time, went to the mound and had a chat with the pitcher, the same as you might see any coach do. The plate umpire charged the team a visit, on the basis that the game was delayed by the call of time, and that though not formally listed as a coach the player acted as a coach. The recommendation was to use this benchmark, particularly in timed games, to limit delays, to avoid each player going in separately at different stages of the game, and to limit the possibility that messages are being passed from the manager or designated pitching coach to the pitcher via these other players.

 

Did this player come out of the dugout to visit the pitcher, or did he just walk to the mound from his position on the field?  I would not charge a trip if F3 walked from his position at 1st base to visit with F1.

 

 

The story was that the fielder in question (not exactly sure on the position but definitely 3-6) called time and went to the mound from his position on the field. It was also clarified that it wasn't just a quick "keep your head up"/"get the next guy" and pat on the butt, but decent conversation of a length requiring the plate umpire to head out and break it up.

 

 

A trip should still not be charged, and it's certainly not something that should be taught in an association.  If it starts to get a little long (more than about 10 seconds), then the PU should give them a nudge:

 

"Let's wrap it up."

"Okay guys, let's go."

 

It's certainly not something that should require the umpire to start walking out.  Just manage the game better, and taking drastic measures like charging a trip in a situation like this can be avoided.

[Jocko]

Bye Mo. You will be missed. Truly one of the greats ever to play the game. Thank you for being a Yankee.