Fair or foul?

[mattmets]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

Assuming OBR rules... Balk for going to the mouth? That is simply wrong... just like BB&DK said.

Check swing appeals... if you think he offered at the pitch, it's a strike. If not, it's a ball. The "breaking the wrist", "bat head in front of the plate" and all other McCarverisms are simply false. (Unless you're using NCAA rules in which the bat head crossing the front hip is an automatic)

BTW- don't let the coach approach you to argue a check swing appeal... that's arguing balls and strikes and by rule if he leaves his position to do so, you warn then if he continues, the umpire shall eject the offender.

FED rules...the pitcher had been whining all game long (he obviously got it from his coaches), and from behind the plate, it would obviously look like he went to the mouth. From C, I could see he didn't, but I wasn't going to help the kid.

Also, on the check swing, the bat head did not cross the plate, but from C (which is a tough spot for a right-handed batter), it appeared the attempt was there. It was the third out, and the coach got in a few words as he crossed the field, nothing really out of the ordinary.

[midtnblu]

Going to a pocket for seeds while ON THE RUBBER ???

Balk all day!

[UmpNW]

Maybe I'm naive but where in the rulebook does it say that going to the mouth while on the rubber is a balk? According to 8.02(a)(1), a pitcher is not allowed to bring his hand to him mouth BUT the penalty is for the umpire to call a ball. Is this a FED rule that I am unaware of?

[LMan]

Originally Posted by UmpNW

Maybe I'm naive but where in the rulebook does it say that going to the mouth while on the rubber is a balk? According to 8.02(a)(1), a pitcher is not allowed to bring his hand to him mouth BUT the penalty is for the umpire to call a ball. Is this a FED rule that I am unaware of?

FED 6-2-4 (c)

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by midtnblu

Going to a pocket for seeds while ON THE RUBBER ???

Balk all day!

He is on the rubber to pitch. If he wants seeds, disengage the rubber first.

"Wait a minute fellahs, batter just go ahead and step out for a second, I gotta get some seeds."

Sheesh.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by midtnblu

Going to a pocket for seeds while ON THE RUBBER ???

Balk all day!

I don't see how bringing his pitching hand around to his back pocket to get some seeds can be considered a balk in and of itself. Now, had he had his hands together and broke them without disengaging I can see it, but there's not enough information in the OP to suggest that's what happened.


Tim.

[mattmets]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I don't see how bringing his pitching hand around to his back pocket to get some seeds can be considered a balk in and of itself. Now, had he had his hands together and broke them without disengaging I can see it, but there's not enough information in the OP to suggest that's what happened.


Tim.

Balk wasn't called for going for seeds, it was for going to mouth to ingest said seeds. Hands were never together, never came to a set, just went to the mouth while engaged with the rubber.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Since we now know it was FED rules, it would be a balk only if he didn't wipe his pitching hand before it touches the ball. If he failed to wipe his salty hand before touching the ball, it is a balk, and not at all OOO, but the proper call by rule. 6-2-4(c).

That being said, it is still dumb to go for seeds while engaged to the rubber.

[mattmets]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Since we now know it was FED rules, it would be a balk only if he didn't wipe his pitching hand before it touches the ball. If he failed to wipe his salty hand before touching the ball, it is a balk, and not at all OOO, but the proper call by rule. 6-2-4(c).

That being said, it is still dumb to go for seeds while engaged to the rubber.

Did not wipe, went from seeds to ball....so thanks for clarifying that it was a good call.

And if you saw this kid, you'd know why he did it....not exactly the greenest grass on the field if you know what I mean.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Since we now know it was FED rules, it would be a balk only if he didn't wipe his pitching hand before it touches the ball.

Not true, Steve. In FED, going to the mouth while on the rubber is "a motion associated with the pitch" and is a balk. While 6.2.1A and 6.1.2D only hint at this ruling, I seem to recall an interp that deals with it directly.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Not true, Steve. In FED, going to the mouth while on the rubber is "a motion associated with the pitch" and is a balk. While 6.2.1A and 6.1.2D only hint at this ruling, I seem to recall an interp that deals with it directly.

Here might be that interp:

From the BRD #363

"If F1 goes to his mouth while deliberately in contact with the pitcher's plate, he has interrupted his pitching motion." 6-1-2. PENALTY: Ball/Balk (6-1-2 Pen)