Question?....

....in a game today, I saw a kid batting with 2 strikes The next pitch was close and the catcher came out from behind the plate and threw the ball down to 3B, you know, throw it around the infield. Ump was not cool with that! 3B coach hollers that that gig should result in a "called ball" from the pitcher. I'm not sure what ended up other than a 3-2 walkoff homerun for us but I can't help but wonder....what they hell was that all about?!


Hook a fish

Thanks

 

110 folks viewed this question and not one of them replied so I'll throw it out there again....if a catcher throws the ball anywhere other than the pitcher, while no one is on base, is there a rule that adds a ball to the count?
Fish

 

I dont know of any direct rule against it, however, I guess the ump could violate them for "delay of the game" or "making a travesty of the game"... but not sure the penalty for either.

 

I don't believe there is a specific rule not allowing it.

I think it adds to the spirit of the game to see a team emulate their college and professional role models.

There might be times when it would not be appropriate maybe; but not by rule. It doesn't delay the game when done as described in the post.

Some umps like to have more attention than they need.

 

My team used to do this and we never got called for anything. I don't think there's a rule about it but I know we sometimes used it as a sale. Like, well we know it's a strike so the ump should call it accordingly. If that makes any sense...

 

I do not see any rule that would prohibit the catcher from throwing around the horn after a strike out in the rule book. Now, if there is a special conference rule or a rule put in during the ground rules meeting stating that throwing around the horn will result in a ball being called then I could see it being called.

However, there is a rule against a catcher throwing the ball anywhere except back to the pitcher if the ball is not contacted and a strike out has not occurred:

10.16 Returning a Pitched Ball to the Pitcher
The catcher must return the ball directly to the pitcher after a foul tip and each
pitch not contacted.
Exceptions:
1. When there is a runner(s) on base.
2. When the batter becomes a runner.
3. After a strikeout.
4. After a putout or an attempted putout made by the catcher.
5. When a checked swing is appealed on a third strike.
6. When the batter is not entitled to first base but runs anyway.
7. An errant throw intended for the pitcher.
EFFECT—The ball is dead, and runners may not advance. A ball shall
be awarded to the batter.
On the first offense, the offending player shall be warned.
On subsequent offenses, the offender shall be ejected from
the game. Exception: Intentionally violating the rule in
order to walk the batter without pitching shall not result in
a ball being awarded to the batter.

It looks like a ball should have been awarded to the batter if all the conditions above were met.

I have seen something similar called. A pitcher cannot throw to an unoccupied base. I saw this called at UNC once...the catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher after a strike out and the pitcher decided to throw the ball around the horn by throwing it to third. Third was unoccupied and the softball version of a "balk" was called.

 

Thanks for this find.

The only rule prohibiting a pitcher from throwing the ball any player other than a catcher is based on her being on the mound (foot on pitcher's plate). She would be able to throw the ball to the outfield if she chose to... with her foot off the rubber.

10.17 Throwing to a Base From the Pitcher’s Plate
The pitcher shall not throw to a base during a live ball while her foot is in
contact with the pitcher’s plate after she has taken the pitching position. If
the throw from the pitcher’s plate occurs during a live-ball appeal play, the
appeal is canceled.

Note: The pitcher may remove herself from the pitching position by stepping
backward off the pitcher’s plate before separating her hands.

 

#3 IN THIS LIST makes around the horn legal.

 

Yes, number 3 does make throwing it around the horn after a strikeout legal. The dispute is not after a strikeout...it is when a strikeout has not occurred yet and the catcher throws to someone other than the pitcher.

 

....and #3 would not come into play with runners on base. My thread said "no runners on base" .... thanks to Cha Cha for his rule interpretation.
I for one have been around this game for a long time and have never seen such an oddity...but I guess the proof is in the puddin', oh well, Iguess learning something everyday is a good thing, especially for me.

Fishman