|
The maneuver the FED book is trying to avoid is that little, itsy bitsy move toward 3rd with a colossal move toward 1st.
The move toward 3rd is token while the move toward 1st is significant. If that's the way it appears, it's a balk.
The move toward 3rd has to be substantial enough to constitute an actual move toward 3rd. The move can't be a brief prelude to the actual move to 1st.
An umpire is well advised to not dwell so much on whether the pitcher breaks contact with the rubber so much as to whether the move has "parts" or whether it is continuous.
Continuous ... BALK!
Parts ... OK!
That should be the standard by which this move is measured.
Every experienced umpired has seen this move enough to know what "normal" looks like without having to micro-observe little nuances.
If it looks "wrong", call it a balk. If asked for an explanation simply say that the pitcher executed the move in a continuous fashion. THAT prohibition is specifically outlined in the rulebook and then you won't be hard pressed to find a black & white explanation or some esoteric interpretation about having to break contact with the rubber.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN
|