Mound Visits

The Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League follows Major League Baseball’s Mound Visit Rule.

The coaching staff (including the manager) can make one mound visit per pitcher per inning without removing the pitcher from the game. If the same pitcher is visited twice in one inning, the pitcher must be removed from the contest.

These mound visits are limited to 30 seconds, starting when the manager or coach has exited the dugout and been granted time by the umpire.

The mound visit is considered to be concluded once the manager or coach leaves the 18-foot circle surrounding the pitching rubber. However, they can temporarily leave that area to notify the umpire of a substitution. In that case, the manager or coach can return to the mound without being counted as two mound visits.

Mound visits are limited to six per team (three coaches and three players) per nine innings, with teams receiving an additional visit for each extra inning played. In the postseason, teams will receive an additional visit for each extra inning played.

Any manager, coach or player visit to the mound counts as a mound visit under this rule, though visits to the mound to clean cleats in rainy weather, to check on a potential injury or after the announcement of an offensive substitution are excepted.

Normal communication between a player and pitcher that doesn’t require either to vacate his position on the field doesn’t count as a visit. If a team is out of visits, the umpire will have discretion to grant a brief visit at the catcher’s request if a cross-up has occurred between the pitcher and catcher.