Breaking hands on rubber

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by David B

Not typical where I've umpired. In FED once he puts his hands together, any movement must be a start to pitch or its a balk. (Unless of course he steps back with his non-pivot foot first)

Thanks
David

A momentary adjustment of the ball is typically allowed where common sense and knowledge of the intent of the rule are found. This has been the case in various areas in which I have worked FED games including California and Washington State. It is also allowed at the Regional and State tournament levels in Washington and was included in the mandatory FED clinic a few years back.

[SanDiegoSteve]

This is the NAPBL interpretation concerning adjusting the ball. As long as his adjusting is momentary, he may then remove his hand from the ball.

"Prior to assuming a legal pitching position (windup or set position) it is permissible for the pitcher to momentarily adjust the ball in his glove. In order for this to be allowed, the movement must be momentary in nature. If the pitcher has his hands together long enough that, in the judgment of the umpire, it appears that he has actually come to a set position or has actually assumed the wind-up position, then should the pitcher separate his hands, a balk shall be called under Official Rule 8.05(3)."

This is the extent to which we allow the removal of the pitching hand from the baseball.

[David B]

Originally Posted by GarthB

A momentary adjustment of the ball is typically allowed where common sense and knowledge of the intent of the rule are found. This has been the case in various areas in which I have worked FED games including California and Washington State. It is also allowed at the Regional and State tournament levels in Washington and was included in the mandatory FED clinic a few years back.

I never cease to be amazed. Of course an adjustment is allowed at all levels that I've called. However, we're not talking about an adjustment.

In my interpretation of the play, I interpret movement in the same manner that rule 6 does. From the windup the pitcher is limited to two pumps, movements etc.,

If an adjustment wasnt' allowed, then how would a pitcher ever throw a curve or a change up.

But, to bring the hands together and then to put the hand back down, that's not legal in FED.

Hope that makes at least what I'm talking about clear.

Thanks
DAvid

[SanDiegoSteve]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve
6-1-2

Many pitchers adjust the baseball in their glove, then remove their pitching hand from the glove, and then bring the hands together to start their motion. This is typically permitted.

Not typical where I've umpired. In FED once he puts his hands together, any movement must be a start to pitch or its a balk. (Unless of course he steps back with his non-pivot foot first)

Thanks
David

Yes, we were talking about an adjustment, and you said it was not typical where you've umpired.

No, the pitcher cannot assume a windup position with his hands together and then break his hands, nor can he assume the set position with his hands together and then break his hands.

But he can place the ball in his glove, adjust the ball with his pitching hand momentarily, and then remove his hand and place it at his side (or just leave it in his glove in the Windup position, if he chooses). We do not consider that particular move as having the hands together in a pitching position, as long as he is just momentarily adjusting the ball.