NCAA Pitch/Action Clock Violations - How is it going?

[SH0102]

Hi All,

    Had my first collegiate games of the 2022 season on Sunday.  D3 doubleheader.  Never had a 20 second violation (took too long) but had MANY warnings for stepping off after coming set.  Never had to issue a ball, but between both games, I think 6 or 7 pitchers were warned, and subsequently explained to, that after coming set, they had to pitch, pick off, or feint a pickoff.

My partner (also his first games of the season) and I were right on it, on same page, both coming up as soon as it happened, but BOTH coaches told us they thought we were wrong so clearly it is going to be a painstaking process to educate everyone throughout the season.

It was a STRONG point-of-emphasis on the rules exam and the national clinic, so I had no reservations about enforcing it.  One game when I was HPU, the catcher asked me if that was a new rule.  I told him "nope, but last year, it was not enforced enough and when teams got to the post-season and it was being enforced, it was a big issue, so we are making sure to call it early so everyone is prepared later".

So my questions are this, for those of you who have had NCAA games already:

1.  How did it go with the action clock and delays?  If you had to call any violations, did you get must pushback?

2.  My partner and I had a discussion about what constitutes a "feint" because on one of the 6 or 7 warnings, the pitcher raised his throwing hand up, but if I could try and describe it, he limp noodled his wrist, like someone who would flit at a fly buzzing their ear, never looked at any runners or bases, never turned his body or shoulders, literally just stepped off, looking at the plate/catcher the whole time, and looked like he back-handed a fly by his ear with his wrist.  I called a violation, my partner said he almost came to me to overturn it.  I said I am fine with a "fake feint" but the P should at least pretend he has an interest in what is happening at a base.  What say you?

 

Thanks all

[MadMax]

On the past 5 games I've done, we've had 3 warnings, but no gripes or pushbacks. 

Some effects to consider: 

- As BU (and when I'm PU, my partners have been doing this as well), I don't start the clock until the batter is "settled" into the box. Granted, as a PU, I've got more work to do on directing the Batter to remain / return to the box, but I'm not going to handicap or penalize a F1 for a Batter's putzing around, typically awaiting a sign being relayed from 3BC to the R1 and/or himself. And we're having no "pace of play" concerns. 

- If the Batter requests Time (and it is granted), the clock stops.

- With R2, a step towards 2B, with or without a throw, is a legal disengagement for the purposes of attempting a play. Thus, an abbreviated inside move towards 2B, even without a feinted throwing motion, stops the clock. 

 

[SH0102]

4 minutes ago, MadMax said:

On the past 5 games I've done, we've had 3 warnings, but no gripes or pushbacks. 

Some effects to consider: 

- As BU (and when I'm PU, my partners have been doing this as well), I don't start the clock until the batter is "settled" into the box. Granted, as a PU, I've got more work to do on directing the Batter to remain / return to the box, but I'm not going to handicap or penalize a F1 for a Batter's putzing around, typically awaiting a sign being relayed from 3BC to the R1 and/or himself. And we're having no "pace of play" concerns. 

- If the Batter requests Time (and it is granted), the clock stops.

- With R2, a step towards 2B, with or without a throw, is a legal disengagement for the purposes of attempting a play. Thus, an abbreviated inside move towards 2B, even without a feinted throwing motion, stops the clock. 

 

All good info, but we had R1 only when P did that if that makes a difference.

for me, a step off alone isn’t enough or the rule wouldn’t say they can’t just step off without a violation.  So even with R2, just stepping back can’t be acceptable can it? Maybe I’m missing something, I am definitely NOT an expert on pitch clock at this point

[MadMax]

Just now, SH0102 said:

All good info, but we had R1 only when P did that if that makes a difference.

Understood. I was speaking from our game experience. We had R2 only, and F1 simply stepped off, and shifted his weight from free foot (left) to pivot foot disengaged (right), and stared back R2 towards 2B. Because it's interpreted as a legal feint, then it's an attempt at a play, and the clock resets. That simple. 

[SH0102]

33 minutes ago, MadMax said:

Understood. I was speaking from our game experience. We had R2 only, and F1 simply stepped off, and shifted his weight from free foot (left) to pivot foot disengaged (right), and stared back R2 towards 2B. Because it's interpreted as a legal feint, then it's an attempt at a play, and the clock resets. That simple. 

Ahh yes, you hit on my point I made to my partner...at least look at the base or something!   

[kylehutson]

Also 5 games here, and 2 warnings, no pushback. One coach did come to me (as BU) after I returned to A and asked for clarification, but wasn't upset.

I haven't seen the limp-wrist "hey look, the ball is in the air" move, but I know others have.

I did have a coach ask me if a deliberate look at a runner was sufficient. I said I wouldn't call that.

I have heard coaches say it's a stupid rule, but were also quick to add that they knew it wasn't our fault and that we had to call it if we see it.

[SH0102]

22 minutes ago, kylehutson said:

Also 5 games here, and 2 warnings, no pushback. One coach did come to me (as BU) after I returned to A and asked for clarification, but wasn't upset.

I haven't seen the limp-wrist "hey look, the ball is in the air" move, but I know others have.

I did have a coach ask me if a deliberate look at a runner was sufficient. I said I wouldn't call that.

I have heard coaches say it's a stupid rule, but were also quick to add that they knew it wasn't our fault and that we had to call it if we see it.

Thanks for info Kyle.  I agree that some form of looking at the runner, or even at least raising your arm in a position that "could lead to a throw"...I am not trying to pick boogers out there, but I also feel like allowing the limp wrist flick without so much as a look, half-turn, anything, is making a mockery of the rule.

[Replacematt]

3 hours ago, SH0102 said:

All good info, but we had R1 only when P did that if that makes a difference.

for me, a step off alone isn’t enough or the rule wouldn’t say they can’t just step off without a violation.  So even with R2, just stepping back can’t be acceptable can it? Maybe I’m missing something, I am definitely NOT an expert on pitch clock at this point

It IS a violation. We went through the same confusion you did, but it is no different than not getting the pitch off.

[Replacematt]

3 hours ago, MadMax said:

On the past 5 games I've done, we've had 3 warnings, but no gripes or pushbacks. 

Some effects to consider: 

- As BU (and when I'm PU, my partners have been doing this as well), I don't start the clock until the batter is "settled" into the box. Granted, as a PU, I've got more work to do on directing the Batter to remain / return to the box, but I'm not going to handicap or penalize a F1 for a Batter's putzing around, typically awaiting a sign being relayed from 3BC to the R1 and/or himself. And we're having no "pace of play" concerns. 

- If the Batter requests Time (and it is granted), the clock stops.

- With R2, a step towards 2B, with or without a throw, is a legal disengagement for the purposes of attempting a play. Thus, an abbreviated inside move towards 2B, even without a feinted throwing motion, stops the clock. 

 

The rule deals with batters who dawdle. Between pitches, start the clock when the rule specifies (which has nothing to do with the batter.) 

[Replacematt]

3 hours ago, MadMax said:

Understood. I was speaking from our game experience. We had R2 only, and F1 simply stepped off, and shifted his weight from free foot (left) to pivot foot disengaged (right), and stared back R2 towards 2B. Because it's interpreted as a legal feint, then it's an attempt at a play, and the clock resets. That simple. 

Huh. A legal feint? You're saying that would be a balk if it was to first?