Pitcher has 12 seconds to release the ball once he receives it. Rule 8.04

[Jayumpref19]

Hi. I do varsity baseball in Massachusetts and we go by the MLB rules. In rule 8.04 it says that the pitch has 12 seconds to throw the ball once he has received it from the catch with bases unoccupied. So what is the time limit when the bases are occupied?

[pnewton]

There is no time limit with runners.  I have never actually seen the time limit enforced with no runners, I don't think it would go over very well.

[Majordave]

That's a booger best not picked. I would warn first then enforce but it would have to be very bad. Never seen it. Only scenario that comes to mind right now is a Mark Fidrych type guy walking around the mound digging in the dirt and talking to himself a lot and wasting a lot of time between pitches.

My .02.....

[Jocko]

@Majordave - haha. Haven't thought about The Bird for years. Good example!

[Majordave]

Every now and then my old bean comes up with something good.

[mjr_2013]

The rule is there to keep the game moving. But what happens when you enforce it? A thirty second explanation to the pitcher, a two minute or more conversation with the coach, and probably b****ing and more conversation the next half inning from that dugout when the other pitcher is delivering the ball.

 

A "Come on guys, let's get this moving" will usually work much better than enforcing the rule.

[Rich Ives]

And it all goes in the crapper when Hargrove comes to bat.