Quote:
Originally posted by BayouUmp
Here's the maneuver: http://www.eteamz.com/HoustonHS/vide...up_pickoff.mov
IMO
BALK!
BALK in FED! BALK in OBR! BALK in China! BALK on Mars!
"The Windup Position. The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, his entire pivot foot on, or in front of and touching and not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and the other foot free.
(Let's call this next sentence #1)
From this position any natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interruption or alteration.
He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot. "
The 1st move this pitcher made was a step back with his free foot. Once he did that...he's committed to a pitch. Reason, for a RHP in Windup position, the first step in his natural delivery is always a step back with the left foot.
Now, you'll argue what about (2) below:
"From this position he may: (1) deliver the ball to the batter, or (2) step and throw to a base in an attempt to pick off a runner, "
I'd argue right back..., but look at (3).
"or (3) disengage the rubber (if he does he must drop his hand to his sides). In disengaging the rubber the pitcher must step off with his pivot foot and not his free foot first."
Now, I don't think #3 is the reason for a BALK is this sitch, but it makes about as much sense to argue #3 as it does to ignore #1 while arguing #2.
If you look at the rules individually, you can find ways around them. We (umpires) can't do that. That a Rat's job....Notice I didn't say coach.
Yeah, OBR says you can step toward a base from WUP, but if that step breaks another rule....it's not legal.
Coaches, teach your kids proper mechanics and fundamentals....leave the cracks to the Rats. 
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I disagree with your impression of the move. I guess there's room to disagree since the video quality is somewhat lacking.
It's nothing more than a jump/spin move. All the pitcher is doing is a quick, and simultaneous, alignment of his feet to make a throw. I don't see any one thing happening before another.
The only thing "unnatural" about the move is that the pitcher doesn't immediately make the throw - he hesitates, apparently under the impression that the shortstop needed more time to get to the bag - and
then he throws. Not throwing is not a violation since there is no requirement to throw the ball to second as there is to first.
Also, I can see you are similarly afflicted with coach phobia. Oh - sorry - RAT phobia. I didn't mean to use some foreign and unfamiliar lexicon.
Umpires who, at length, bash coaches speak volumes. It's like the unpopular kid at school who thinks everybody is a jerk because everybody hates him, never once considering that it might be HIM.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN
[Edited by David Emerling on Mar 21st, 2005 at 10:07 PM]