Quick pitch and when can a pitcher start his pitching motion

[Micky]

I have a question regarding quick pitch. OBR rules.

I have seen the rule: Rule 6.02(a)(5) Comment: A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter’s box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted.

I have read quite a few postings on this forum and searched online, but I cannot find the answer to a few questions. This is related to a game last Friday where I was U1.

F1 had a very high tempo. It was obviously done to give the batter little time to prepare. To me it felt like unfair play. And the batters clearly had a hard time with it and the DHC came over and asked about quickpitch. However, the batters were always looking at the pitcher, because he was throwing at high velocity (former MLB pitcher), so they were a bit intimidated. But to say that they had time to be mentally ready, I don't think so. So the question is "reasonably". I think it is reasonable to give a batter a little more time. Hard to judge obviously if you weren't there. Can an umpire call time, if he thinks it is too fast, even when the batter has both feed in position and is looking at the pitcher?

And more specific:

1. Should F1 wait with the beginning of his windup or getting set, until the moment the batter is ready, or is it about the moment the ball is released from the hand. So if F1 starts his motion or getting set before batter is good and well ready, should this be considered a quick pitch. In the rules it says "delivered", so that could imply that you could start your windup before the batter is ready, as long as you don't throw before he is ready. Nitpicking, I know, but I was looking for a way to slow this guy down.

2. After time/foulball. Should F1 wait with the start of his windup or getting set until PU has called "play" and if he doesn't, could that be considered a quick pitch?

3. Can only the PU call time or a quickpitch, or can the U1 do that as well? For example, when the pitcher already started his motion, before "play" was called, I was inclined to yell "time" (even though technically we were still in time), but wasn't sure if it was my place.

4. Rule 6.02(c)9 states that you can eject a player if F1 throws intentionally to a batter. But how about with a quick pitch. Can you eject F1 if he doesn't stop doing it?

These are adult teams.

TIA for your time.

[JSam21]

1) Batter has to be alert to the pitcher before the motion to deliver can begin. 

 

2) Once every one is in their positions and ready to go, that's when we call play. There shouldn't be an issue here.

 

3) A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. A ball should be added to the count with no one on base. With runner on, a balk should be called.

 

4) They will stop doing it once they have walked someone or balked a run in because they won't stop doing it. If they are ignoring your request, especially after enforcing penalties, you are well within your rights to remove the pitcher from the game. 

[SeeingEyeDog]

It's not a cure all and you might have received association or league direction NOT to do this but, I typically try to do a "warning that is not a warning" on this...

The first time a pitcher starts their motion before the batter is ready, I will kill it, take off my mask and come to the top of the circle and say, "Please do NOT start your motion until the batter is ready..." and then if they do it again you can bang them for the quick pitch. If the coach complains you can shrug and say, "Coach, I told him previously not to do that."

For younger players, I will hold up my hand in a stop sign without a verbal until the batter is ready and then take down the stop sign. The problem with this mechanic is if you have a pickoff play, of course...so use it judiciously.

~Dawg

[Micky]

Thank you both. Much appreciated. And very helpful. 

[noumpere]

You can also work with the catcher to not give the signals until the batter is ready.

[834k3r]

3 hours ago, noumpere said:

You can also work with the catcher to not give the signals until the batter is ready.

This is my technique as well. It's been effective for me, and doesn't raise a ruckus about something (relatively) simple.

[Micky]

Yes, good advice about the catcher.