Attempt to Decieve the Runner

[JBo2114]

Hi everyone, my brother and I have a friendly bet on this, and I thought I was right, but after reading the rulebook on the MLB site, I'm starting to get worried. I know that an attempt to decieve the runner by the pitcher is a balk, but can one or more fielders also be charged with attempting to decieve the runner? If so, what are the instances when this comes into play? I always thought that things like faking a throw to a base and holding the ball in your glove were illegal. Not simply a pump fake, but a deliberate attempt to decieve the runner. For example, runner on 2nd, 1 out. Batter grounds to the shortstop, shortstop gloves the ball, puts hand in the glove in a motion to grab the ball and throw to first, but instead, he removes his hand from the glove while the ball remains in the glove and feints a throw to first base. Seeing this, the man on second begins running to second, and the shortstop tags him for the out. If this is indeed an infraction, what is the ruling? Finally, could you cite your source in the MLB rulebook so that I can find it? Thank you so much in advance and sorry for the exceedingly long post.

[LDUB]

Originally posted by JBo2114
For example, runner on 2nd, 1 out. Batter grounds to the shortstop, shortstop gloves the ball, puts hand in the glove in a motion to grab the ball and throw to first, but instead, he removes his hand from the glove while the ball remains in the glove and feints a throw to first base. Seeing this, the man on second begins running to second, and the shortstop tags him for the out. If this is indeed an infraction, what is the ruling? Finally, could you cite your source in the MLB rulebook so that I can find it? Thank you so much in advance and sorry for the exceedingly long post.

Official Rules: 8.00 The Pitcher

8.05
If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when_ (a) The pitcher, while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make such delivery; If a left-handed or right-handed pitcher swings his free foot past the back edge of the pitcher's rubber, he is required to pitch to the batter except to throw to second base on a pick off play. (b) The pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first base and fails to complete the throw; (c) The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base; Requires the pitcher, while touching his plate, to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base. If a pitcher turns or spins off of his free foot without actually stepping or if he turns his body and throws before stepping, it is a balk. A pitcher is to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base but does not require him to throw (except to first base only) because he steps. It is possible, with runners on first and third, for the pitcher to step toward third and not throw, merely to bluff the runner back to third; then seeing the runner on first start for second, turn and step toward and throw to first base. This is legal. However, if, with runners on first and third, the pitcher, while in contact with the rubber, steps toward third and then immediately and in practically the same motion "wheels" and throws to first base, it is obviously an attempt to deceive the runner at first base, and in such a move it is practically impossible to step directly toward first base before the throw to first base, and such a move shall be called a balk. Of course, if the pitcher steps off the rubber and then makes such a move, it is not a balk. (d) The pitcher, while touching his plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play; (e) The pitcher makes an illegal pitch; A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter's box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted. (f) The pitcher delivers the ball to the batter while he is not facing the batter; (g) The pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch while he is not touching the pitcher's plate; (h) The pitcher unnecessarily delays the game; (i) The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher's plate or while off the plate, he feints a pitch; (j) The pitcher, after coming to a legal pitching position, removes one hand from the ball other than in an actual pitch, or in throwing to a base; (k) The pitcher, while touching his plate, accidentally or intentionally drops the ball; (l) The pitcher, while giving an intentional base on balls, pitches when the catcher is not in the catcher's box; (m)The pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a stop. PENALTY: The ball is dead, and each runner shall advance one base without liability to be put out, unless the batter reaches first on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base, in which case the play proceeds without reference to the balk. APPROVED RULING: In cases where a pitcher balks and throws wild, either to a base or to home plate, a runner or runners may advance beyond the base to which he is entitled at his own risk. APPROVED RULING: A runner who misses the first base to which he is advancing and who is called out on appeal shall be considered as having advanced one base for the purpose of this rule. Umpires should bear in mind that the purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. If there is doubt in the umpire's mind, the "intent" of the pitcher should govern. However, certain specifics should be borne in mind: (a) Straddling the pitcher's rubber without the ball is to be interpreted as intent to deceive and ruled a balk. (b) With a runner on first base the pitcher may make a complete turn, without hesitating toward first, and throw to second. This is not to be interpreted as throwing to an unoccupied base.



This rule does not state your exact example, but I know that is not a balk. Also faking a throw to a base is not allways a balk, only if the fake of a throw to first base. The only way that I can think of a fielder causing a balk is if the catcher is out of his box or if any other player is in fould territory at the time of the pitch. There may be others but I am not sure. Simple balk calls are a pitcher not coming set or a pitcher turning their shoulders.

[Edited by LDUB on Mar 22nd, 2004 at 07:55 PM]

[Rich Ives]

First, the pitcher CAN attempt to deceive a runner - he just has to do it within the rules.

Second, the fake by the SS is completely legal. A fake by any fielder is legal. If a pitcher disengages the rubber legally, he is then a fielder and he can fake anywhere he wants.

[Delaware Blue]

I know that an attempt to decieve the runner by the pitcher is a balk...

This statement is not entirely true. The pitcher can do many things that deceive a runner. Some are considered balks, others are not.

As for other fielders, they can do almost anything they wish to deceive or decoy a runner. Some code prohibit fake tags or verbal obstruction (a defensive player yelling at a runner to slide when there is no play being made on the runner, etc). But faking a throw or faking a missed throw and then tagging the runner is perfectly legal.

[TxUmp]

As our friend Carl Childress is wont to say:

"A BALK occurs when the pitcher ILLEGALLY attempts to deceive the runner(s)."

[GarthB]

Originally posted by TxUmp
As our friend Carl Childress is wont to say:

"A BALK occurs when the pitcher ILLEGALLY attempts to deceive the runner(s)."

Hopefully your friend is wont to say that there are actions other than illegal deception that are balks as well.

[Edited by GarthB on Mar 28th, 2004 at 11:29 AM]

[TxUmp]

Of course!!! That is only one of many balk situations.

[GarthB]

Originally posted by TxUmp
Of course!!! That is only one of many balk situations.

Sorry, I left something out of my post above which would have better conveyed my intent.

Here it is: