[PeteBooth]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Phil Vivenzio
[B]I have asked this question constantly, and I still do not get a understandable answer. It is my understanding that the purpose of balk rules is to protect the runner from being deceived. One of the situations in Fed ball where a pitcher upon getting set leaves his glove higher than his chin, this is a balk. I do not see where this move is deceptive.

Phil, Papa C (on Eteamz - FED Board) asked us what FED rules we liked and those that we didn't. I think it was almost unanimous that most favor the OBR Pitching rules to that of FED. The other rule most do not like is that a balk in FED is immediately dead as opposed to delayed dead in OBR. If a player hits a HR on a Balk in FED too bad.


There are other differencies as well (outlined in Papa C's BRD) such as in FED - no checking the runner; In the windup, one has to step back off the rubber (with Pivot foot) before attempting a pickoff otherwise Balk - Not so in OBR.

Most FED rules I like with the exception of the Pitching rules and the balk being immediately dead. Most leagues I umpire in the summer have adopted FED with the exception of the pitching rules.


Pete Booth