Quote:
Originally posted by teacherspit
GB,
When the pitcher steps off the back of the rubber. He is not under the penalty of balking. Unless he throws the ball to a fielder. Then without the ball strides the rubber or toes the rubber. Then he has balked.
Did you not understand what I was saying about a pitcher wheeling and throwing to an unoccupied base being a balk. Or throwing to an occupied base with intention of appealing without first stepping off the back of the rubber. It cannot be interpeted other than a pickoff play. Because is the only time a pitcher can throw to an occupied base while touching the rubber.
That is clear and simple.
|
No, you are just horribly misguided.
You can ALWAYS appeal from the rubber - you do not have to disengage, regardless if the base is occupied or unoccupied. You NEVER have to verbalize an appeal attempt - it only has to be an unmistakable act in the judgment of the umpire.
Also, you cannot do "anything" after disengaging.
PLAY: R3, F1 in the windup position. F1 disengages with his pivot foot, then in the same motion raises his arms above his head and makes it look like he's going to deliver to the plate. In the middle of this, he stops, wheels to third and picks off R3.
RULING: Balk. F1 made a motion associated with a pitch.
Disengaging makes the pitcher a fielder for the purpose of awarding bases if a ball is thrown to DBT. But there are still balks that can happen even with the pitcher disengaged.