LL, When does a pitcher become a pitcher

[Ax3bL4d3]

Situation is this: Little League rules, 9-10U District Tourney,  in between innings, the 3rd Baseman picks up the game ball at the edge of the mound and begins to toss the ball with the shortstop, and pitcher until the catcher is at the plate. Third baseman never toed the rubber and never warmed up with the catcher. Offensive team claims that since he picked up the ball, he is now the new pitcher. Tourney director never found specific mention in rule book, but umpire judgement was that since he didn't toe the rubber, he's not the new pitcher. Who's right and can you cite a specific rule? Thanks, Ax3

[Jimurray]

Situation is this: Little League rules, 9-10U District Tourney,  in between innings, the 3rd Baseman picks up the game ball at the edge of the mound and begins to toss the ball with the shortstop, and pitcher until the catcher is at the plate. Third baseman never toed the rubber and never warmed up with the catcher. Offensive team claims that since he picked up the ball, he is now the new pitcher. Tourney director never found specific mention in rule book, but umpire judgement was that since he didn't toe the rubber, he's not the new pitcher. Who's right and can you cite a specific rule? Thanks, Ax3

Umpire is partially right. The player would have to toe the rubber and throw a warm up pitch to the catcher. 3.08(a)(1)

[Packerbacker]

Sometimes dangerous to do so, but taking 3.08(a) literally the text would seem to apply explicitly to substitutes, i.e., players not currently in the lineup:

"(a) If no announcement of a substitution is made, the substitute shall be considered to have entered the game when -
(1) if a pitcher, the substitute takes a position on the pitcher’s plate and throws one warm-up pitch to the catcher;" [my emphasis added]

 

[noumpere]

Sometimes dangerous to do so, but taking 3.08(a) literally the text would seem to apply explicitly to substitutes, i.e., players not currently in the lineup:

"(a) If no announcement of a substitution is made, the substitute shall be considered to have entered the game when -
(1) if a pitcher, the substitute takes a position on the pitcher’s plate and throws one warm-up pitch to the catcher;" [my emphasis added]

 

​iirc, LL specifically enforces this rule.

[Mudisfun]

In the OP the 3rd baseman seems like he is just the 1st fielder to p/u the ball and playing catch with 2 others including the pitcher of record who is on the mound (or immediate area). In this situation I have nothing as no one is meeting the criteria for becoming the new pitcher which is toeing the rubber and throwing to the catcher (or player in the area normally occupied by the catcher).

When I see a player pick up the ball who was not the past pitcher I typically ask them if they are pitching that inning. If the answer is no I tell them to drop the ball so that we do not have an issue to sort out if that player does something really stupid like toeing the rubber and throwing the ball towards the catcher.

[Aging_Arbiter]

Situation is this: Little League rules, 9-10U District Tourney,  in between innings, the 3rd Baseman picks up the game ball at the edge of the mound and begins to toss the ball with the shortstop, and pitcher until the catcher is at the plate. Third baseman never toed the rubber and never warmed up with the catcher. Offensive team claims that since he picked up the ball, he is now the new pitcher. Tourney director never found specific mention in rule book, but umpire judgement was that since he didn't toe the rubber, he's not the new pitcher. Who's right and can you cite a specific rule? Thanks, Ax3

​I just have to point out that if Ax3bl4d3 is your actual screen name, I bet you have one helluva password.................