Hello!
I'm an Umpire-Instructor from Germany and have a question about a rule interpretation. (Only OBR, not FED or NCAA!!)
Rule: 8.05 (k)
If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when...
the pitcher, while touching his plate, accidentally or intentionally drops the ball.
Cross Reference: 8.01 (d) Notes
If the pitcher makes an illegal pitch with the bases unoccupied, it shall be called a ball unless the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter or otherwise.
A ball which slipes out of the pitchers hand and crosses the foul line shall be called a ball; otherwise it will be called no pitch. This would be a balk with men on base.
With no men on base --> no problem
Ball, if crosses the line; "No Pitch" if not.
Now here the problem:
What is with runners on base?
If you only read this two rules in OBR it must be a Balk independantly if the Ball Crosses the line or not.
But now here some different interpretations I find in the books:
EVANS:
Once the pitcher assumes a position on the rubber with his pivot foot, he will be penalized should he drop the ball.
If the pitcher has started his delivery when the ball slipes out of his hand, rule 8.01 (d) shall be enforced. This rule states that a ball shall be called if the ball crosses the foul line with no runners on base. If it does not cross the foul line, no pitch shall be called.
PBUC/NAPBL Manual:
"a pitched ball wich slips out of a pitcher´s hand and crosses the foul line shall be called a ball; otherwise it will be called no pitch. if the ball does not cross the foul line, this would be a abalk with runners on base.
JAKSA/RODER:
it is a balk if a pitcher:
4. bobbles or drops....
Any ball that slips out of a pitcher´s hand and crosses a foul line is a ball. a slip wich does not cross a foul line is a balk if there is a runner, and no pitch if there is not a runner.
It seems like they are different opinions. ;-)
What do you mean? What do you find in other books written?
Here in Germany we only play with OBR-Rules, so please don't refer to FED or NCAA rules, because there, it is not a Balk if the Ball crosses the line with runners on Base.
Thank you!
Jens Wolfhagen
Umpire-Instructor
Germany, Hamburg
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