New Pitcher Warms Up In The Circle

[Jar19201]

Scenario: new pitcher comes to the circle at the beginning of a new inning. She throws 5 warm up pitches, then another pitcher comes in before the first batter steps in. I understand the rule to be that the pitcher that warms up must deliver at least one pitch. Is that interpretation correct?

[GoKorea]

As per another post I started the answer is no except in the 1st inning.

[UmpSteve]

Scenario: new pitcher comes to the circle at the beginning of a new inning. She throws 5 warm up pitches, then another pitcher comes in before the first batter steps in. I understand the rule to be that the pitcher that warms up must deliver at least one pitch. Is that interpretation correct?

There is no such rule.

The only time a pitcher cannot be substituted for is in high school rules, bottom of the first, ONLY IF that "pitcher" had a courtesy runner in the top of the first. Same applies to the catcher.

Other than that, any player can be substituted for at any time. The "understanding" is a myth.

[GIMNEPIWO]

Scenario: new pitcher comes to the circle at the beginning of a new inning. She throws 5 warm up pitches, then another pitcher comes in before the first batter steps in. I understand the rule to be that the pitcher that warms up must deliver at least one pitch. Is that interpretation correct?

There is no such rule.

The only time a pitcher cannot be substituted for is in high school rules, bottom of the first, ONLY IF that "pitcher" had a courtesy runner in the top of the first. Same applies to the catcher.

Other than that, any player can be substituted for at any time. The "understanding" is a myth.

I disagree ... Any player can be substitited for at any time by a legal substitute ... But the player who is being substituted for has left the game and may only return if she is eligible for re-entry ... Even if it is the pitcher or catcher in the bottom of the first ...

[UmpSteve]

Scenario: new pitcher comes to the circle at the beginning of a new inning. She throws 5 warm up pitches, then another pitcher comes in before the first batter steps in. I understand the rule to be that the pitcher that warms up must deliver at least one pitch. Is that interpretation correct?

There is no such rule.

The only time a pitcher cannot be substituted for is in high school rules, bottom of the first, ONLY IF that "pitcher" had a courtesy runner in the top of the first. Same applies to the catcher.

Other than that, any player can be substituted for at any time. The "understanding" is a myth.

I disagree ... Any player can be substitited for at any time by a legal substitute ... But the player who is being substituted for has left the game and may only return if she is eligible for re-entry ... Even if it is the pitcher or catcher in the bottom of the first ...

G, you are correct; I misstated. May not switch defensive positions in that situation without playing the position first, but can be substituted for at any time.

[Anti-Clone]

PONY requires a new pitcher to pitch to a batter.

[Jar19201]

I appreciate the input and clarifications....so....scenario is:

A pitcher comes in, takes warm up pitches (and time), and right before the batter steps into the box, the coach has the pitcher and a position player (not a substitution) switch...does not use a defensive conference. Is that legal since the pitcher who took the warm up pitches never actually played the position of pitcher?

My thinking is that this would be a way for coaches to eat up time since the second pitcher would then get warm up pitches as well.

[Colo Blue]

The original post did not clarify what sanction they were playing under. USSSA does have a rule. Rule 5 Sec 5 states: A substitute or player who replaces a pitcher while the team is on defense
shall pitch to the first opponent to bat against the substitute until that batter
has advanced to first base, or has been put out or until there has been a third
out. To ensure that the requirements are fulfilled, the Umpire will deny any
coach-defensive player conference that will violate it.