Expert: Dr. Mark R. Ambrose - 11/2/2009

Question
Our league uses the 11" ball for girls and 12" ball for guys, and the other pitcher and i have some trouble switching between balls every batter so we decided that one would pitch and the other would play 1st and switch every batter so ideally the other pitcher would pitch to every guy and I would pitch to every girl.
switching was not a long process, 10 seconds max, however the umpire took us aside and told us we can only remove a pitcher once per inning.  so once I replaced the pitcher who started the inning he could replace me once but then he would be stuck pitching the rest of the inning. He said he followed the ASA rules but no one on our team can find a set (even through the league).  I do not feel this is correct, but i was wondering your thoughts on the issue and possible where i could find documentation to prove either way.

We play in a Co-Rec league in Arizona

Thank you for your time

Answer
Hi Clancy,

Well I must admit I've never seen this and I don't think I would like it too well as far as the rhythm of the game would be.


ASA 6-8 .....A pitcher returning to pitch in the same half inning will not receive warm-up pitches. There is no limitation as to the number of times a player can return to the pitching position as long as the player is legally in the game.

ASA-6-3-J. The pitcher has 10 seconds to release the next pitch after receiving the ball,
or after the umpire indicates “play ball”.

I can't legally stop you, but as I mentioned I'm not too thrilled about it.  I am not going to let you delay the game and will enforce the 10sec rule very strictly.

mark