Balk ruling

DG · #6 (**permalink**) Sat Jun 05, 2004, 09:51pm

Quote:

Originally posted by David B

Quote:

Originally posted by Delaware Blue
Sure sounds like a balk to me...

the coach said that they had done this all season long (in HS), and no one had called it a balk.

Interesting since FED rules prohibit F1 from throwing to a base from the wind up. He may only pitch to the batter or step off. In FED, any throw to a base from the wind up position without legally disengaging first is a balk.

OBR allows the pitcher to throw to a base from the wind up as long as he steps directly to the base and makes no move normally associated with the delivery of the pitch.

From J/R
It is a balk if a pitcher:
Commits to pitch but fails to do so. Windup Mode: The pitcher is committed to pitch when there is a movement or step of his non-pivot foot. His joining of hands without movement of either foot does not commit the pitcher to pitch.

It is not a balk if a pitcher steps to: Third, second, or first base from the windup position (without beginning any wind-up motion)...

Yes, he did step back with his pivot foot first which the coach said makes him an infielder.

I agree with that, but he still has to abide by FED which prohits him making moves naturally associated with a pitch.

I'm also going to talk with several of our umpires who did NOT call it a balk and see what they were thinking.

We will be sure and correct this by next season

Thanks
David

If he steps back with his pivot foot, he shall make no other movement that resembles a pitch, such as raising his glove and pitching hand together above his head, or moving his non-pivot foot in a manner that would resemble a pitch. If he wants a legal stepoff he just needs to stepoff and keep all his other body parts still.