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Online now: 2 members: TABLE SETTER 11, cecil; 121 anonymousDiscussion: Staying behind the pitching screen
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| Feb. 21, 2017 Boro Men's 70 14 posts | Staying behind the pitching screen Just got back playing after 20+ years. Question regarding the pitcher staying behind the screen after the ball is pitched. Q - Is it legal for the pitcher to pitch the ball over the screen then step to either side before contact is made? If it is not legal what is the call? I can't seem to locate it in the rules. |
| Feb. 22, 2017 B.J. 1105 posts | SSUSA tour. play does not use pitching screens....they are normally used in league play with local rules...in the leagues that I have seen use them pitching over the top of the screen is not allowed... and what would be the point of allowing the pitcher to pitch over the top and then let him step to the side and out from behind the screen...kind of defeats the purpose of the screen |
| Feb. 22, 2017 curveball Men's 65 705 posts | Boro, BJ is correct on it's a league thing. But, there are some very good senior leagues that allow the pitcher to pitch over the screen. Palm Springs for example, which is a fantastic and well organized league, allows over the screen, but pitcher must be behind the screen when ball contacts the bat. If you field the ball as a pitcher being outside the box when contact is made, it's a dead ball single. On the other hand, Las Vegas Senior Assoc. won't allow over the screen, and must pitch from the pitching hand side of the screen, and you don't have to be behind screen at all. Different leagues create different rules (or lack thereof). IMO, "IF" you are required to play with a screen, you should be required to use it for the reason it was placed in service. |
| Feb. 22, 2017 stick8 1991 posts | Yes screens are at the discretion of house leagues. The senior league I play in it's an option. If you hit the screen once it's a strike. If you hit the screen again your out. The pitcher can be a fielder but only if part of his body is behind the screen. Conversely if a screen is not used any ball hit from the pitchers height on down and between the length of the rubber its a dead ball out. The only way a screen is a hindrance for the defense is on a throw home from the middle of the field. If a throw hits the screen it's still a live ball. |
| Feb. 22, 2017 Paul P Men's 65 53 posts | I've played in two leagues where the screen is used and they have similar rules. 1) A batted ball that strikes the screen is treated as a foul ball. If on last strike, the batter is out. 2) The pitcher can NOT pitch over the screen and must retreat, fully, behind it, upon delivering the ball. After, and only AFTER, a batted ball is struck, may a pitcher come out from behind the screen. If fielded, or deflected, prior to the pitcher retreating, it is in violation, and the batter is awarded a single. Now again, these are local rules only, and do not not apply to SSUSA. |
| Feb. 22, 2017 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | In our league at Al Bishop in Marietta, Ga, the leg of the screen (we use PitchSafe nets must touch the rubber. A ball that strikes the screen is treated as a foul ball. If on last strike, the batter is out. We don't have a rule that covers a pitcher moving from behind the screen so it is allowed. I pitch sometimes and most pitchers know which batters you need to remain behind the screen. At least I do!! Boro, all of these rules are local rules. |
| Feb. 22, 2017 Boro Men's 70 14 posts | Gathering from all the great responses this is not even a ASA rule? We have 2 separate leagues in our senior play. Competitive and Recreational. Recreational has to pitch over the screen, which is 6ft high and can't go higher than 12'. Competitive uses the screen purely for protection but pitches to the side of it. Like I said I haven't played in 20+ years so it's all new to me. All your answers do point to the fact that I was not able to find an ASA or Senior rule to deal with it. Appreciate all the quick responses!! OH! I should mention in our leagues any batted ball that hits the screen is a Dead Ball, neither a ball or a strike. Interesting uh? |
| Feb. 23, 2017 k man Men's 65 326 posts | Boro, in our senior league it is also a dead ball. In addition, if on a play from the field, the ball hits the screen, it is a live ball, but if the ball gets entangled in or under the screen, it is a dead ball and runners advance 1 base from the time of contact. |
