Dave,
Once the pitcher steps the rubber, there can be no pitch. There can however, still be a balk.
If you saw the play, Mendoza came set, legally disengaged the rubber, but never separated his hands. Immediately after disengaging, he threw to home in the same motion that he would if he was pitching. That violates OBR 8.05, which states, "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when- (g)The pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch while he is not touching the pitcher's plate."
It was a balk specifically because he was not in contact and used a motion obviously associated with a pitch (J/R Manual p.143 #14).
Whether it is protestable or not is questionable, but I would think that it is the umpires judgement as to whether or not he used a motion normally associated with a pitch and I don't believe that is protestable.
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave Davies
8.01 There are two legal pitching positions, the Windup Position and the Set Position, and either position may be used at any time. Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher
while standing on the rubber.
(e) If the pitcher removes his pivot foot from contact with the pitcher's plate by stepping backward with that foot, he thereby becomes an infielder and if he makes a wild throw
from that position, it shall be considered the same as a wild throw by any other infielder.
Official Notes - Case Book - Comments: The pitcher, while off the rubber, may throw to any base. If he makes a wild throw, such throw is the throw of an infielder and what follows is governed by the rules covering a ball thrown by a fielder.
This rule is quite specific. The Umpire ruling in last nights game is Protestable.
The vague rules in the Balk section never refer to the pitcher legally stepping off the rubber and THEN delivering a Pitch. Once he steps off the rubber, it CAN'T be a pitch.
Dave
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