FED - When to call pitch illegal?

[woolnojg]

blueump - Could you clarify the starting position ?
So far the pitcher has done nothing wrong by your description.
By rule (6-1-2;6-1-3) the BALL may be either in the pitching hand or the gloved hand. For the strecth/set the pitching HAND must be at the side or behind the back. Last time I checked it waas legal to pitch from the windup, even with runners on. Not smart maybe, but legal.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by woolnojg

blueump - Could you clarify the starting position ?
So far the pitcher has done nothing wrong by your description.
By rule (6-1-2;6-1-3) the BALL may be either in the pitching hand or the gloved hand. For the strecth/set the pitching HAND must be at the side or behind the back. Last time I checked it waas legal to pitch from the windup, even with runners on. Not smart maybe, but legal.

Once again, blueump said that it was the set position.

[blueump]

The pitcher got on, facing 3rd base, pivot foot engaged on the rubber, staring in to get signs, with both hands together (right hand inside the glove) set completely still just below the chin. The hand was never behind the back, it was never at the side. This is clearly a violation of the set position rule. He never "came to a set", he was already there!

I think in the future, I'll just call it immediately. No need to wait till the ball comes out of the glove, no need to wait till the hands separate. An illegal postion is illegal, I'm calling it.

[DG]

I think if a pitcher were to place his foot parallel to the rubber and in contact with it, while both hands are together in the glove, and bring his non-pivot foot around and plant it in what looks like a set position I would consider him set as long as he made a significant pause.

I have never seen this happen and I think it would be an OOO to call a balk.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by DG

I think if a pitcher were to place his foot parallel to the rubber and in contact with it, while both hands are together in the glove, and bring his non-pivot foot around and plant it in what looks like a set position I would consider him set as long as he made a significant pause.

I have never seen this happen and I think it would be an OOO to call a balk.

I would think that never seeing it before would be a good reason to call a balk. Why should the pitcher be able to circumvent the rule, which was included in the rule book for a good reason in this case? I think that at least Time should be called and the pitcher instructed to do it right, and then if he doesn't, ring up the balk.