Please read if you are NOT currently handling baseballs!

[SeeingEyeDog]

So, my area has returned to traditional mechanics (PU calling pitches from behind F2) but, umpires are still not handling baseballs. Coaches are now handling baseballs. It occurred to me this could be a very messy situation. Here's what I have been telling coaches at the plate meeting:

Guys, now that you are handling baseballs, please tell your pitchers if they need to change baseballs to disengage properly from the pitcher's plate, ask for time, wait for time to be granted...and THEN change out the baseball. If they step off and throw the ball into the dugout without getting time, that is a live baseball. Now we are looking at an illegal pitch, balk, base awards if there runners on, etc.

Here's the part I have been pre-gaming with my partners that I do not tell the coaches: Partner, if we see a pitcher stepping off to change a baseball we are going to kill the ball right then and there whether he asks for time or not. I would rather have to discuss with a coach why we preventitively called time then I would discussing with a coach why we are calling a balk and giving base awards.

~Dawg

[stkjock]

not sure what level you do, however, is there no concern about doctored balls coming into use? 

[The Man in Blue]

I wouldn’t be as concerned with “doctored” baseballs as balls that aren’t kosher.  Seen that a few times without the mandate of teams handling balls.  Usually happens when somebody returns a foul ball ... or what they said was a foul ball.

[Velho]

Would a player even know how to utilize a scuffed baseball in this day and age?

[BLWizzRanger]

31 minutes ago, Velho said:

Would a player even know how to utilize a scuffed baseball in this day and age?

11/12U tournament where foul balls are having a hard time retrieving themselves, I had a coach that wanted to throw out a scuffed ball.  I sort of laughed as I didn't think the 11/12 yo would have the velocity to utilize the scuff.

[ArchAngel72]

We noted early on one coach tried to sneak in a tee ball baseball said it was a mistake.. Oh yeah sure it was