Baseball Instruction/Illegal pitch penalty

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Expert: - 5/16/2008


Question
What is the penalty for a little league pitcher putting his fingers to his mouth before pitching the ball?  (Our pitcher was ejected with no warnings.)

Answer
Tracy,

The penalty is an illegal pitch (ball to the batter), and the ball is removed from play.  The pitcher can be ejected from the game for such an offence, depending on the severity.  Since I was not present, I can't really rule on whether an ejection was warranted or not.

I hope this has answered your question.  Should you have anymore, please don't hesitate to ask.

-Martin Hoover

Baseball Instruction

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Martin Hoover

Expertise

Questions regarding the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball and Softball. Questions regarding the history and organization of Little League Baseball at local, state, regional, and international levels. Advise regarding certain operational procedures and recommendations to Local League representatives.

Experience

Volunteer Little League Umpire since 2000; 2003 Little League, Junior League, Senior League and Big League Softball European Regional Umpire; 2005 Little League Softball Western Regional Umpire; Member- Hesperia National(Hesperia, CA) Little League Board of Directors(2003-2004); President- Hesperia National Little League Board of Directors(2005-Present); 2007 Junior Softball Western Regional Umpire

Organizations
Little League Baseball, Inc is the main operational center. I fall under Little League Western Region, and California District 49. I currently serve as President of the Hesperia National Little League Board of Directors.

Education/Credentials
Western Regional Junior Umpire School(2000)(Named Outstanding Junior Umpire of the Western Region Area); Instructor - Little League Baseball Western Regional Outreach Clinics

Awards and Honors
Outstanding Junior Umpire of the Western Regional Area(2000)

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