Pitching Changes - Umpire Directed?

[Vegas_Ump]

This is what I thought I saw in an NCAA Regional game, but presumably this could happen at any level.

Manager is on the mound for a visit.  (In  this case, number of visits so far is irrelevant.)  PU allows an appropriate amount of time for the discussion and then walks towards the mound.  Nothing seems to have happened, and the manager and umpire are just making eye contact.  The ump seems to have said something to the effect "You going to switch pitchers?"  No response.  So the ump raises his hand to signal a pitching substitution.  It's like he directed a pithing change in lieu of a response from the manager.   Can an umpire do that?  (Lacking audio, I am not sure precisely what happened. So I'll concede that.)

In the general case, how much time do you allow for a conference at the mound, and what can you do to expedite the resumption of the game or manifest a pitching substitution?  (And yes, I'm not looking for boogers either!)

Thanks.

Mike

Las Vegas

[Lou B]

Players play, managers manage and umpires umpire.

The only way an umpire can "make a pitching change" is to eject the pitcher!

[JonnyCat]

1 hour ago, Vegas_Ump said:

In the general case, how much time do you allow for a conference at the mound, and what can you do to expedite the resumption of the game or manifest a pitching substitution?  (And yes, I'm not looking for boogers either!)

For a mound conference, this is what I do. YMMV.

Coach is granted time and walks to the mound. At that point, I'll pull out the line up card and make a note of the visit. Then I'll brush off the plate. After that, I'll walk to the mound. Usually, by this time, the meeting is finished, or the manager has made a change. If he's still talking, then I'll stand on the mound and just say something to the effect of, Hey (Jim), we making a change?

Works for me for many years now without an issue!

[Jimurray]

1 hour ago, Lou B said:

Players play, managers manage and umpires umpire.

The only way an umpire can "make a pitching change" is to eject the pitcher!

But he can signal a pitching change so the BU can make sure the bullpen knows and which arm they want. There must have been some communication from the manager if he had a LP and RP both warming up.

[Lou B]

Why would the umpire signal the pitching change, why wouldn't the manager do it?

[Vegas_Ump]

2 hours ago, Lou B said:

Why would the umpire signal the pitching change, why wouldn't the manager do it?

Lou:  The premise was that the DM was wasting time!  He had more than enough time for his visit.  It looked like that happened in a regional NBCAA game, but I concede I didn't hear what was said.

Point is:  what if the DM lollygags too long?  How much is too long to you?  In LL you can eject the guy for delay, but I doubt that's in any other book.  The mechanics as recommended by others are quite normal;  but has anybody ever had a coach decide he was going to ignore you and "camp out"?

Mike

[Jimurray]

2 hours ago, Lou B said:

Why would the umpire signal the pitching change, why wouldn't the manager do it?

The manager usually does it and the bullpen door opens but if that does not happen right away the PU should signal the appropriate BU who then starts out to the bullpen to get the relief pitcher coming.

[noumpere]

12 hours ago, Vegas_Ump said:

but I doubt that's in any other book. 

It falls under the "fail to obey the umpire's instructions" clause.

[mw94]

Well John McSherry sort of made a pitching change for Lasorda in 1977 WS

 

 

[BigBlue4u]

"Point is:  what if the DM lollygags too long?  How much is too long to you?  In LL you can eject the guy for delay, but I doubt that's in any other book."  Check 8.01 (b) MLB; 3-4-4 NFHS.

[MadMax]

On 6/5/2022 at 6:49 PM, Vegas_Ump said:

but I concede I didn't hear what was said.

Something was either said, or it was a very discreet nod. 

In college baseball, umpires are expected “to go summon (signal) the relief pitcher” from the bullpen. Each time. It’s an incredibly petty operation (IMNSHO). I’ve actually witnessed HCs glaring at BUs for what seems like an eternity, fully expecting that BU to “wake up” and recognize / realize the coach wants a substitute pitcher to come out… and that the BUs failure to “go get him” is holding up this entire game! 

“Hey Max, is he (my fellow BU) paying attention? I gave the signal.” 
“Sure, Gary, we’ll get right on that… Steve! Pen!” 
“Oh!”, and off trots Steve, about 2 paces before he’s passed by the reliever already coming in. 

With that said, we (PUs) never indicate for a pitching change on our own, unless (and this isn’t absolute) there’s been a conference/visit violation, or the current pitcher is being removed due to an injury, and the PU is going to allow the replacement to warm up on the mound directly. 

That’s from what I’ve experienced.