Quote:
Originally posted by cbfoulds
Guys, guys:
I have no problem with what y'all are saying about a jump-TURN. That is not the situation under consideration.
Again: assume a LHP, in the stretch, who came set;
who "jumped", but DID NOT TURN [he continued to face 1st];
his pivot foot landed behind the rubber; and
he threw to 1st.
Now, presuming that he did not separate his hands until AFTER his pivot foot was on the ground behind the rubber, why is it a balk that he "jumped" rather than "stepped"?
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Ohhhhhhh!
I get it now. That's a
much better explanation!
That is a
classic move that is in most left-handers' arsenal.
It really doesn't involve "jumping", however.
To legally execute this move, the LHP's pivot foot must go
behind the runner as the
first movement. But it's lightning fast and, if done properly, it all looks rather simulataneous. The umpire should allow this move. It is extremely common.
I think what you're describing is the classic "snap throw" many left-handers use toward 1st. If you've never seen it before, it looks rather awkward because he never steps
toward 1st with his free foot. Normally that would be illegal because a pitcher is
required to step in the direction of the base
while in contact with the rubber. But, since the pitcher
first stepped off, that rule doesn't apply. He's an infielder!
The move looks a lot like a gunslinger making a quick draw.
If the pitcher doesn't make the throw, it should not be a balk because it's legal to fake a throw to 1st when disengaged from the rubber.
Still, I'm not sure if this is what the pitcher did. I'm still somewhat confused why the LHP needed to "jump."
If, in the umpire's opinion, the "jump" was intended to deceive the runner into thinking the pitcher was attempting to throw to a base for a pickoff attempt, and, his free foot did
not move in the direction of the that base ... I would call that a balk.
If the pitcher just pops into the air like some kind of Mexican jumping bean, he better land with his free foot toward a base that is occupied. And if that base is 1st, he
better make a throw.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN
[Edited by David Emerling on Mar 21st, 2005 at 02:28 PM]