Swap positions with pitcher and return to the mound - no coach involved

[sdix00]

 

 

F1 starts and pitches three innings.  By the fourth inning, the Head Coach has used all of his Charged Conferences.  If the Head Coach were to visit the pitcher, he would be required to replace the pitcher and the replaced pitcher would not be able to pitch again.    Instead the Head Coach uses mental telepathy from the dugout, and the pitcher and first baseman swap positions.  New pitcher warms up with 8 pitches in one minute.   New pitcher pitches to one batter and strikes him out.  Then the two players swap positions again and the original pitcher retires the side. 

 

Legal?

[yawetag]

I've got nothing.

[Senor Azul]

2018 NFHS Case Book Play 3.4.1 Situation G:  Team A has had three charged conferences by the fifth inning. With the game tied in the sixth inning, the coach of Team A informs the umpire that (a) F6 and F1 are going to trade positions or (b) that S1 is replacing F1. Can the pitcher who is being replaced return to pitch later in the game, or is this considered a charged conference? RULING:  In (a) and (b), the pitcher being replaced may return to pitch as long as all conditions of 3-1-2 are met. The umpire shall permit the coach to switch players or substitute, provided the coach does not take advantage of the situation by having a conversation with any of the players. A violation shall result in a charged conference being assessed, which would be more than allowed, resulting in the pitcher not being able to return to pitch. (3-1-2)

[catsbackr]

Senor Azul,

 

You are the man!

[Kevin_K]

And, for your viewing pleasure, courtesy of NJSIAA Baseball committee:

The third inning begins with Smith as F1 and Thomas as F3. B3 is 20 for 25 the last 3 years against Smith so Thomas replaces him as pitcher. After striking out B3, Smith returns to pitcher and Thomasto F3. After an out, the coach switches them again and Thomas retires B6.

a. Each time Smith and Thomas becomes pitcher, umpire should allow 8 warm-up pitches.

b. Smith gets his five warm-up pitches to begin the inning. Thomas gets 8 warm-up pitches and Smith gets none when he returns to the mound in the same inning.

Explanation
Rule Book 6-2-2 Exception

 

For the unitiated, here is the exception:

The starting pitchers may warm up by using not more than eight throws, completed in one minute (timed from the first throw). When a pitcher is replaced during an inning or prior to an inning, the relief pitcher may not use more than eight throws completed in one minute (timed from the first throw). At the beginning of each subsequent inning, the pitcher may warm up by using not more than five throws, completed in one minute (timed from the third out of the previous half-inning) (3-1-2). In either case, the umpire-in-chief may authorize more throws because of an injury, ejection or inclement weather.

It is important to remember, however, that in NJ the NFHS Interpretations are immaterial as demonstrated in this 2012 interpretation:

SITUATION 15: Runch, who was the starting pitcher, takes the mound in the fifth inning and takes his five warm-up throws. After getting B1 out, he changes positions with the first baseman, Lewis, who takes his eight warm-up throws. Lewis gets B2 to pop out and Runch now returns to pitch. How many warm-up throws is Runch allowed? RULING: When Runch became a first baseman, he obviously no longer was the pitcher in the game. When he legally returns to pitch later in the same inning, he is considered to be a relief pitcher. Accordingly, Runch is allowed up to eight warm-up throws to be completed in one minute timed from the first throw. (6-2-2c)

[Richvee]

1 hour ago, Kevin_K said:

And, for your viewing pleasure, courtesy of NJSIAA Baseball committee:

The third inning begins with Smith as F1 and Thomas as F3. B3 is 20 for 25 the last 3 years against Smith so Thomas replaces him as pitcher. After striking out B3, Smith returns to pitcher and Thomasto F3. After an out, the coach switches them again and Thomas retires B6.

a. Each time Smith and Thomas becomes pitcher, umpire should allow 8 warm-up pitches.

b. Smith gets his five warm-up pitches to begin the inning. Thomas gets 8 warm-up pitches and Smith gets none when he returns to the mound in the same inning.

Explanation
Rule Book 6-2-2 Exception

 

For the unitiated, here is the exception:

The starting pitchers may warm up by using not more than eight throws, completed in one minute (timed from the first throw). When a pitcher is replaced during an inning or prior to an inning, the relief pitcher may not use more than eight throws completed in one minute (timed from the first throw). At the beginning of each subsequent inning, the pitcher may warm up by using not more than five throws, completed in one minute (timed from the third out of the previous half-inning) (3-1-2). In either case, the umpire-in-chief may authorize more throws because of an injury, ejection or inclement weather.

It is important to remember, however, that in NJ the NFHS Interpretations are immaterial as demonstrated in this 2012 interpretation:

SITUATION 15: Runch, who was the starting pitcher, takes the mound in the fifth inning and takes his five warm-up throws. After getting B1 out, he changes positions with the first baseman, Lewis, who takes his eight warm-up throws. Lewis gets B2 to pop out and Runch now returns to pitch. How many warm-up throws is Runch allowed? RULING: When Runch became a first baseman, he obviously no longer was the pitcher in the game. When he legally returns to pitch later in the same inning, he is considered to be a relief pitcher. Accordingly, Runch is allowed up to eight warm-up throws to be completed in one minute timed from the first throw. (6-2-2c)

The answer is “A”. Marked correctly  on my test. 

[Senor Azul]

Apparently, reporting the lineup changes is only a courtesy since the word should is used in the rule 1-1-5--

2018 NFHS Rule 1-1 ART. 5 . . . A player may change to a different fielding position at any time except that a pitcher, after being listed as such on the official lineup card handed the umpire, cannot change until conditions in 3-1-1 and 2 are met. Changes should be reported to the umpire-in-chief and scorekeeper.

And it’s really cool that the coach in your scenario is blessed with telepathic powers but there actually is no need for him to use them in this situation.

FED Official Interpretation:  Rumble:  An umpire will not charge a conference when the coach approaches the foul line to instruct his players or yells at his players to switch positions.

Also, a coach who yells defensive instructions from the dugout is not charged with a conference. (3.4.1i)

2018 Case Book Play 3.4.1 Situation I:  The coach of the defensive team, just after the ball is returned to F1, yells from the dugout:  (a) giving instructions to F4 and F6; or (b) to have F6 and F9 switch positions.  RULING:  Situations (a) and (b) do not warrant a charged conference being called. (3-4-1, 3-4-3)