Quick pitch

[Guest Dan]

According to the rule of a quick pitch a pitcher may not deliver the ball until the batter is ready my question is how do you define ready. For me in the rules of a batter it describes the batter's legal position is with 2 feet in the box. Is that ready?

 

thought.

[noumpere]

I see your dilemma.  Unfortunately, the rules were written by gentlemen, for gentlemen, not by lawyers for lawyers, and they assumed someone would have some familiarity with the game.  So, such details as this are not explicitly defined.

 

You might try to add "both feet in, head up facing / looking at the pitcher, bat back and above the shoulder" -- but some hitters don't do the latter.

[Thunderheads]

If you're a batter ....... are you set w/ both feet in the box?  Is that all you need to be ready?

I doubt it.   Use judgement.

[Guest]

Then how is reasonable ready defined... Everyone is different?

[Thunderheads]

Then how is reasonable ready defined... Everyone is different?

did you play baseball?

If you did, ....then you know

Edited July 16, 2015 by Thunderheads

[Guest]

For my whole life actually, the reason I am asking is when you have umpires who do not know how to control the game properly so quick pitches don't natural occurs, how can you clarify to them what reasonable ready means in baseball vocabulary(btw English is their second language). The only rule that supports a batter stance is their legal position (2 feet in the box.) one could say if one is legal than they can attempt to hit the ball. However that doesn't make sense completely either cause I know you can't throw right after the batter gets in the box. If the umpire is good he knows to give the hitter time to get in the box to get ready than he puts the ball in play. If it's not in play its a no pitch not a balk. So is their any exact rule or interpretation I can use?

[Richvee]

Both feet in the box, head up looking a the pitcher sounds pretty good if one was to define "ready" 

[ZebraStripes]

When the batter can safely see what is coming and be able to react.

[maven]

You might try to add "both feet in, head up facing / looking at the pitcher, bat back and above the shoulder" -- but some hitters don't do the latter.

That's what I use. Maybe not the part about the bat...

Perhaps the OP has a pitcher who works fast and had a quick pitch called? Or was told to wait till the batter's ready? I love a pitcher who works fast: that's good baseball, and I'll nag the batter to get ready to facilitate. But he's allowed to reset a bit between pitches (provided he complies with the batter's box rule), and "pace jockeying" is an accepted tactic within limits.

I am not flexible about allowing "borderline" quick pitches, since that's a safety issue. I'll hurry the batter along, but if he's not ready, I don't want F1 going. I'm sure we can all agree that safety is paramount in amateur baseball.

[maineump]

A fast moving pitcher is great to work with. We have 1 locally that works very quickly and is a very good pitcher (D-1 commitment). The way the better teams deal with him is to ask for time to step in. That gives the PU a heads-up to him coming back quickly, is really too fast. I have asked his catcher to delay the sign for a few seconds to let the batter get back in.

The best way to combat a kid who pitches like this? STAY IN THE BOX!

[ZebraStripes]

That's what I use. Maybe not the part about the bat...

Perhaps the OP has a pitcher who works fast and had a quick pitch called? Or was told to wait till the batter's ready? I love a pitcher who works fast: that's good baseball, and I'll nag the batter to get ready to facilitate. But he's allowed to reset a bit between pitches (provided he complies with the batter's box rule), and "pace jockeying" is an accepted tactic within limits.

I am not flexible about allowing "borderline" quick pitches, since that's a safety issue. I'll hurry the batter along, but if he's not ready, I don't want F1 going. I'm sure we can all agree that safety is paramount in amateur baseball.

I would have a hard time living with myself if a kid got hit in the head on a quick pitch.  Lord knows I've had enough hit in the head while they are looking.  Had an 18U College Showcase game where a "kid" ( a kid that was an F2 that towered over me) took one in the head and he was done for the tournament.  He said he was ok the next day, but I was worried about him as the pitch was approaching 90 mph.

A fast moving pitcher is great to work with. We have 1 locally that works very quickly and is a very good pitcher (D-1 commitment). The way the better teams deal with him is to ask for time to step in. That gives the PU a heads-up to him coming back quickly, is really too fast. I have asked his catcher to delay the sign for a few seconds to let the batter get back in.

The best way to combat a kid who pitches like this? STAY IN THE BOX!

The only time I have kids do the "stay in the box" part are the lower level rec games where you can tell the kid hasn't played and they don't even move from their stance between pitches.  Oh to not have those types in the box.  

[guyinaredhat]

If the pitcher delivers too soon and the batters lot ready call time . Work with your catcher to make sure he gives the batters reasonable time . A good f2 will slow his pitcher down just enough so it's not a problem . If  they aren't shaving age then talk to the pitcher and let him know . But don't let the batter get quick pitched . 

[Mudder]

Both feet in the box, head up looking a the pitcher sounds pretty good if one was to define "ready" 

I use this standard as well, but you see those batters with both feet set and looking at the pitcher, they are going through their "bat waggle" routine (bring the bat forward and back around, etc.), In my head I'm noting "he's ready", with a fast working F1 when the pitch comes in and he swings you can tell the batter was never truly set for a good swing.  That's their tough luck.  If you want to waggle that bat for a couple of seconds once your feet are set and looking at the pitcher, thats your problem

[Rich Ives]

A fast moving pitcher is great to work with. We have 1 locally that works very quickly and is a very good pitcher (D-1 commitment). The way the better teams deal with him is to ask for time to step in. That gives the PU a heads-up to him coming back quickly, is really too fast. I have asked his catcher to delay the sign for a few seconds to let the batter get back in.

The best way to combat a kid who pitches like this? STAY IN THE BOX!

You could also actually call a QP to get F1's attention.   If he's going to D1 he'll get slowed down.

[Umpire in Chief]

Then how is reasonable ready defined... Everyone is different?

It like many other facets of the game is a judgement call. It may vary by age and ability. 

I see your dilemma.  Unfortunately, the rules were written by gentlemen, for gentlemen, not by lawyers for lawyers, and they assumed someone would have some familiarity with the game.  So, such details as this are not explicitly defined.

 

You might try to add "both feet in, head up facing / looking at the pitcher, bat back and above the shoulder" -- but some hitters don't do the latter.

@noumpere excellent answer 

[Aging_Arbiter]

Another case of umpiring BY the book......not WITH the book??

[maineump]

You could also actually call a QP to get F1's attention.   If he's going to D1 he'll get slowed down.

True Rich, but generally speaking - the higher the level of play, the less messing around that goes on. In college, they know they are under a clock and they stay in the box when they are supposed to. He will get slowed down by his catcher, as  they are usually looking for the sign from the dugout etc. I have called time on him in the past, and told him to wait for the hitter.

At the younger levels, there is no stop requirement for the set, so I think the tendency to quick pitch is higher. This kid does set, he just is ready to pitch right after he gets his sign.

[ricka56]

Then how is reasonable ready defined... Everyone is different?

Yes, everyone is different and borderline QP are either going to be acceptable or not to any particular umpire. Below was a reasonable definition, though not written in the rulebook.

I see your dilemma.  Unfortunately, the rules were written by gentlemen, for gentlemen, not by lawyers for lawyers, and they assumed someone would have some familiarity with the game.  So, such details as this are not explicitly defined.

You might try to add "both feet in, head up facing / looking at the pitcher, bat back and above the shoulder" -- but some hitters don't do the latter.

For my whole life actually, the reason I am asking is when you have umpires who do not know how to control the game properly (low level baseball often get low level umpires. you have to roll with the punches in youth BB) so quick pitches don't natural occurs, how can you clarify to them what reasonable ready means in baseball vocabulary(btw English is their second language). (reference noumpere's definition...how you communicate to ESL umpires we can't help you with) The only rule that supports a batter stance is their legal position (2 feet in the box.) one could say if one is legal than they can attempt to hit the ball. However that doesn't make sense completely either cause I know you can't throw right after the batter gets in the box. If the umpire is good he knows to give the hitter time to get in the box to get ready than he puts the ball in play. Most times a QP occurs with an already live ball. Good umpires jump out, call TIME with enough conviction to scare the pitcher from pitching...at lower levels, you might not see that...keep good health insurance If it's not in play its a no pitch not a balk. So is their any exact rule or interpretation I can use? ~sigh~ as others have stated, NO.

[webspinnre]

I was working a game the other night, and the 3rd and 4th spot batters on the visiting team stepped up to the box and asked me for a "verbal." I had no idea what they were talking about, and the coach explained after the inning that they wanted me to call time as they stepped into the box every pitch, and then give a verbal play ball, apparently to prevent a pitcher from quick pitching them. I told them that if the pitcher quick pitches I'll deal with it, and to just step into the box as they normally would.

[JaxRolo]

When the batter can safely see what is coming and be able to react.

I like this answer.