Quote:
Originally posted by CDcoach
I got a question about a call at one of my boy's games I thought you guys would be good to answer.
Runners on 2nd and 3rd. Pitcher sets up on the rubber from an "open stretch". (front foot at about a 45 degree angle from the rubber towards 1st base, hope you can picture that.) He then takes a small step in to come set (still slightly open) then he drags his foot towards himself and pulls back and fires home. They called a balk. I questioned thier reasoning. They said that his drag of his foot was illegal. I could understand that if he went towards third but he went ahead and threw the pitch. The umpires after I started talking to them and fixing the pitcher acted kinda confused like they weren't even sure if they were right anymore. So I figured you guys could let me know if it sounds legal...hope you can picture it.
Thanks for your time.
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There is nothing mentioned, as you described the dragging motion, that I would interpret as a balk. There certainly is nothing in the rules specifically citing the dragging of the foot (as part of the step to pitch) as being illegal.
It's likely over-officious umpires as these that may have been the cause for Quasimoto never reaching his full potential as a pitcher.
Freix