Offensive conference...

[Replacematt]

Two nights ago, I had a tight second-round playoff game. Visitors were up 1-0, and were just basically a rain delay of a team (their signs took forever, I had to reign in their batters leaving the box early in the game, etc.) Their pitcher pitched 4 innings in the first-round game immediately prior. He was in noticeable discomfort at about 150 total for the night in the fourth or fifth when his manager was granted an injury conference (thankfully, it didn't come to this, but I was about to do it myself through the catcher.) He goes out there, I'm listening, he starts talking strategy with his catcher, I tell him he has to stop doing that or it's charged, he gets a blank look, and just stands there for a few seconds before leaving, keeping the kid in.

The next inning, assistant coach wants a mound visit. No biggie, but he takes his sweet-ass time getting out there, I let him talk for the normal amount I do, then I head out there. I make eye contact with him and tell him that we have to get moving. He pauses, then picks up right were he left off. I then tell him, more sternly, that the conference is over. He says another sentence or two, then leaves.

Finally, in the top of the seventh, still 1-0, batter hits a double. He asks for time to remove his stuff and give it to 1B coach, who was the same assistant in the prior mound visit. BR runs to first, hands him his stuff, then 1B coach starts talking strategy with him. After five seconds, I inform them that I'm charging them with their offensive conference for the inning.

Would you have done the same, or was I being too strict on that?

 

Edited May 24, 2015 by Matt

[Cav]

Presuming NFHS rules: A pitching rat coach on the hill either needs to leave when you say his time is up or you can charge his team with another conference...or more.  A base rat coach either needs to be ready when you're ready to put the ball in play or they can be charged with a conference...or more.

 

Your game; your call.  What was the crew's feedback postgame? 

[Replacematt]

It actually never came up. I ended up keeping the leadoff batter at the plate in the bottom of the seventh for throwing his arm into the pitch. I also had CI on a strike three earlier in the game (also against the home team.) We were more discussing the critical unusual plays that occurred.

FWIW, the visitors didn't say anything when I charged them with the conference.