Granting Time

[sthomas13100]

Had the pleasure of traveling to Atlanta and watch my son play in the PG tournament for the past week.  One thing I saw repeatedly was umpires granting time while the pitcher was in his motion.  We are instructed to not grant time if the pitcher has started his motion towards home.  Is this a courtesy in the showcase tournaments or have I been taught incorrectly?  One guy even went out and told the pitcher to go ahead and throw the ball, even though he had called time, so he didn't hurt himself.  I thought to myself, why grant time with the pitcher at the point of releasing the ball?

Your thoughts?

[ALStripes17]

Had the pleasure of traveling to Atlanta and watch my son play in the PG tournament for the past week.  One thing I saw repeatedly was umpires granting time while the pitcher was in his motion.  We are instructed to not grant time if the pitcher has started his motion towards home.  Is this a courtesy in the showcase tournaments or have I been taught incorrectly?  One guy even went out and told the pitcher to go ahead and throw the ball, even though he had called time, so he didn't hurt himself.  I thought to myself, why grant time with the pitcher at the point of releasing the ball?

Your thoughts?

I would imagine the umpire had already granted Time to the batter in his head before the pitcher began his motion. And that the actual act of the umpire getting the word out of his mouth and hands raised were simultaneous with the pitcher beginning the delivery.

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[umpstu]

I work the Area Code games and since it is basically for kids to showcase for scouts a lot of leeway is granted.  I've never seen a balk called in 7 years.

[Jimurray]

12 hours ago, sthomas13100 said:

Had the pleasure of traveling to Atlanta and watch my son play in the PG tournament for the past week.  One thing I saw repeatedly was umpires granting time while the pitcher was in his motion.  We are instructed to not grant time if the pitcher has started his motion towards home.  Is this a courtesy in the showcase tournaments or have I been taught incorrectly?  One guy even went out and told the pitcher to go ahead and throw the ball, even though he had called time, so he didn't hurt himself.  I thought to myself, why grant time with the pitcher at the point of releasing the ball?

Your thoughts?

"Repeatedly" causes concern and an umpire counseling a pitcher causes concern about the level of umpires calling this showcase. 

[Kevin_K]

12 hours ago, umpstu said:

I work the Area Code games and since it is basically for kids to showcase for scouts a lot of leeway is granted.  I've never seen a balk called in 7 years.

@umpstu Is that because there have been no balks or because umpires do not call them?

[sthomas13100]

I think there is some leniency given with the showcases.  Umpires were all good.  I was just curious.

[grayhawk]

16 hours ago, umpstu said:

I work the Area Code games and since it is basically for kids to showcase for scouts a lot of leeway is granted.  I've never seen a balk called in 7 years.

Get me in there Stu!  I emailed my resume but didn't hear back.  I think I was too late for this year anyway.

[umpstu]

7 hours ago, Kevin_K said:

@umpstu Is that because there have been no balks or because umpires do not call them?

The leeway thing.