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Originally Posted by grogdog
LL Juniors
We tried a pickoff at 1st from the windup tonite. The pitcher was on the rubber with hands together then made a unmistakable step towards first and threw over. The ump balked him because he did not disengage. I said he didn't have to disengage according to the rulebook and our UIC (they were our umps). I even showed him the ruling from our UIC. Then he said he'd balk him everytime because he's "deceiving" the runner by standing on the rubber with his hands together. At any rate, he said he balked him because he didn't disengage so my question is can his ruling (reason for the balk) be protested?
Thanks
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Rule 8.01(a) Comment: In the Windup Position, a pitcher is permitted to have his “free” foot on the rubber, in front of the rubber, behind the rubber or off the side of the rubber.
From the Windup Position, the pitcher may:
(1) deliver the ball to the batter, or
(2) step and throw to a base in an attempt to pick-off a runner, 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.
He may not go into a set or stretch position—if he does it is a balk.