Taking Swings Between Innings

[zoops]

Every once in a while I get a team that has about the whole lineup out of the dugout swinging a bat while the opposing pitcher warms up.  Are there any rules that would prohibit this?  Seems like there probably are, here's what I found:

OBR:?

FED 3-3-3:  Players loosening up to bat shall remain in the area of their team's on-deck circle while the pitcher is warming up (1-2-3).

PENALTY: The umpire shall issue a team warning to the coach of the team involved. The next offender on that team shall be ejected.

NCAA: 5-2c: (Seems to cover it)

The offensive team shall:

Art. c.

Have all personnel except the base coaches, batter, runner(s) and "on- deck" batter in the dugout, bullpen or dead-ball area.

A.R. - During a pitching change, umpires are instructed to pay particular attention to enforcing the provisions of 5-2-c.

[ricka56]

If you are bored during warm-up pitches, here are some a few things to keep yourself occupied instead of OOO'g:

1. Count warm-up pitches;
2. Be ready to give the battery another ball if one goes to the backstop;
3. Check the baseballs in your ball-bag for unplayable ones (I put the best of them in my right bag);
4. Determine if F1 is new or returning to the mound; 
5. Determine if F2 is new or returning to keep you safe;
6. Get a drink of water.

I do not understand why some umpires feel the need to announce their presence with authority.
 

[ElkOil]

Ask yourself two questions:

1.  What problems am I solving by enforcing this rule?

2.  What problems would I be causing by enforcing this rule?

In my opinion, the answers to 2 outweigh the answers to 1.

[umpstu]

I will only let two guys swing, period.  I don't want somebody to take a bat in the head.  I work college and high school and have never had an issue with anybody when I tell them only two.  

[noumpere]

MLBUM:

 ON-DECK CIRCLE

The next batter up must be in the on-deck circle, and this is the only player who should be there

(i.e., not more than one player at a time).

[Trakes2]

It amazes me sometimes the BS that some of you guys 'worry' about... Truly there is no need to insert yourself! And if a kid takes a bat to the back of the melon, that isn't your problem either! 

Some things are better left alone.

[zoops]

Goodness guys, I was just wondering if this is generally accepted.  

[maven]

My state wants this rule enforced and has made a point of telling us so.

As a safety issue, I have no problem enforcing it at all levels.

Letting 'em take a bat to their melon is all well and good until the attorney for the plaintiff asks you under oath why you didn't enforce this rule. Go ahead and tell the jury that you're not an OOO, and see how that plays.

[Nafxos]

It's funny.  I posted a similar topic a few weeks ago and the consensus was "nip it in the bud".

Now it seems like if I follow that advice I'm an OOO redass. 

Personally, I've started enforcing it and haven't had any problems.  I don't make a big deal of it.  But if I see somebody straying too close to the dirt circle or crossing from their side to the other side during warmups, I ask them to go back.

[scrounge]

In over 500 games I've had this situation happen exactly once....quickly solved with "Guys, only the batter and the on-deck guy allowed, need the rest of you to get back in the dugout". Coach asked if that was the rule...."Yep, only two allowed". And we were done. It's not that big of a deal.

As an aside, it was FED so it's explicitly listed.

[TheRockawayKid]

It happens every once in a while. It's one of those things where, if you say, "hey, guys. Dugout," and shoo them with your hand, they'll scatter. And really, you don't have to do much more than that. 

If that doesn't work, "coach, get 'em in the dugout" does the trick. 

[Replacematt]

Enforce it.

[ricka56]

They don't do this in HS games around here. I only see this in youth levels.

Add one thing to my list:
7. Listen for offense talking at F1 during warm-ups.

If #7 were to become a problem, then I'd put them back in the dugout, otherwise I don't care. 

[MadMax]

We have an entire discussion thread paralleling this over here (On Deck Batter Watching Warm Up).

Frankly, I didn't used to care. But after working at CDP for several years, and working with a few OOO's for high school -aged tournaments, I can see the point to enforcing it. At CDP, for best example, it's a safety thing. If a few additional hitters are out, with helmets on and working on their swing, I don't mind it much. If the entire lineup is out there, most without helmets on and swinging like a medieval battle, I'll just remind them that "2 is enough, helmets on." Simple as that, rules citation not even necessary.