Gorilla Stance

[ChapJim]

Originally posted by Kaliix
What exactly is the reasoning behind making this a balk? Is there some advantage gained by the pitcher by having his hand hanging down versus at his side or behind his back?

I am honestly not trying to be argumentative, I am just trying to understand the reason for the rule.

The common response from coaches, once you've convinced them there is such a rule, is "why?"

I can think of one possible reason, but there may be others. An arm hanging free, with or without the ball, is unlikely to cause a baserunner any problems. He will know when the pitcher is not set, and when he comes set. However, if instead of having the arm hanging free, the pitcher bends his elbow a bit, you may have a highly deceptive situation, depending on where the other hand is. A runner at 1B may not be able to tell if a RHP has his hands apart or together. That is of course the point of FED's "pitching hand shall be down at his side or behind his back" or OBR's functionally equivalent "the pitcher shall have one hand at his side or behind his back." Two different ways to accomplish the same thing.

Right or wrong, that explanation has been good enough to satisfy every coach who has asked.