quote:
Originally posted by ecball
Jacked-up,
I poured two small bottles of water to soften it up so the pitcher could land and not slip on concrete after each pitch. If you are concerend about a rules violation....a coach can ask the ump if he can repair the mound if there is an issue and the ump agrees. I did just that and I went one step further and asked Tae if he wanted it fixed when his pitcher was on the mound. Tae's pitcher didn't need it fixed because he didn't stride out as far so he wasn't sliding. The fields had taken a lot of water during the week and it was a dirt mound. There were other issues with the mound for both teams in the game before and there was no advantage gained as it was done for the safety of the boy. The pitcher was clearly slipping on his landing foot which would have eventually pulled his groin. I have coached several hundred games and have never done this so I wasn't looking for the "ole bottled water on the pitching mound advantage"....
There was several things that went on that day that made a mockery out of youth sports but pouring water on the mound wasn't one of them.
Certainly not an expert on the rules in regards to working on the field but it seems to me that the Head Umpire needs to be asked if the field of play can be addressed or improved. If he agrees , no problem. As long as it is a safety issue and not for a players comfort or preference or for a competitve advantage.
seems like that what happened on Sunday.
As an aside, the portable temporary mounds always have safety issues.
Too short, too narrow, lip in the front, foot slips and slides, short drop off in back. the list goes on and on.
Sounds like a good game, sorry I missed it.
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Topic Locked
Posted - 04/04/2011 : 16:59:36
