Another Inquiry on the balk?

[David Emerling]

Originally posted by hawk0213
I am new to this site, so I apologize if this has already been talked about.

I am a summer league high school baseball coach, using high school rules.

With a runner on first, three times I ahd a runner picked off because the RHP pitcher would pivot on the rubber with his pivot foot when he threw to first. His foot never left the rubber. This happened three times. The first two times I went and talked to ump between innings and finally the last time I stormed onto the field, only to have the umpire say that he has been umping for longer than I have been alive.(i didnt understand the relevance) He said he would not argue because it was not a balk. So I left the field, and my kids got three steps off the base the rest of the game. Is it a balk or a pickoff move I should be teaching the kids?

Jon

This is perfectly legal.

I know why your runners are getting picked off, too.

You have taught them to key off the RHP's right heel, haven't you? That's a good "thumb rule" because, clearly, the pitcher will have to turn that foot around to throw to 1st, unless he's Gumby.

However, it is possible (as you've discovered) for the pitcher to begin his move toward 1st while maintaining his initial pivot position on the rubber. Naturally, he can't maintain this position. It will eventually break contact ... but not until much later in the motion.

If your runners are totally focused on that right foot, they will be late in getting back because the pitcher is initially NOT moving his right foot as his left has already begun the necessary motion for the pickoff attempt.

Let me ask you this: Let's say a RHP, from the set positon, attempts a pickoff at 3rd base without FIRST breaking contact with the rubber? He just steps and throws. Do you have a problem with that? Of course not! Perfectly legal. And, in fact, typical! There is no "special rule" that says the pitcher has to FIRST break contact with the pitching rubber while executing a pickoff.

In fact, if the RHP *was* Gumby and could somehow not move his pivot foot while stepping with his free foot toward 1st, that would be perfectly legal.

For a move to be legal it must comply with the following:

1.) The free foot must move in the direction of the throw. It must gain distance and have direction. The interpretaton on the direction is within a 90-degree cone (two 45-degree lines).

2.) The move must be continuous without hesitation.

3.) Unless picking off at 2nd base, the pitcher's free foot may not go behind the back of the rubber.

4.) The base must be occupied -or- a direct play is being made on an advancing runner.

5.) If the pitcher elects not to step off, any throw to 1st must be completed. i.e. no fakes

That's pretty much it! Everything above applies equally to LHP's.

This pickoff move is sometimes referred to as the "slow move." I'd be wary of teaching it to your pitcher because it is frequently called for a balk simply because it looks different - although legal. It is a rarely used move.

Quite frankly, I'm surprised it wasn't called a balk; although it is perfectly legal.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[Edited by David Emerling on Aug 30th, 2004 at 01:58 AM]