When a starter is late to the mound, how many warm-up throws is he allowed?

The correct amount of warm-up throws allowed for a starter who is late to the mound is five. This rule accommodates the need for the pitcher to quickly prepare for the game while ensuring they are adequately warmed up to avoid injury.

The regulation states that a pitcher has a set number of warm-up pitches to ensure they can effectively and safely start the game. This emphasizes the balance between getting the pitcher ready and maintaining the pace of the game. For a starter who arrives later than expected, five warm-up throws provide enough time to establish their rhythm and get comfortable on the mound without causing significant delays in the game.

While some may consider the option of three warm-up throws too few for proper preparation, it doesn't adequately ensure the pitcher can effectively transition into gameplay. Similarly, more than five warm-up throws, like eight or ten, could disrupt the flow of the game, extending game time unnecessarily. Thus, five warm-up throws is both a practical and standard approach in this context.