Balk question

[Dave Hensley]

Originally Posted by tibear

Rich,

The rules states the pitcher must drop his hands to his sides, so I guess the phrase "separate his hands" is incorrect.

Around here if the pitcher steps off and throws directly to a base without dropping his hands to his side first, we call it a balk. As indicated, I guess we're going to have to re-evaluate this but I can hear everyone now, "That's not what the rulebook says and the pitcher does it to deceive the runner, so it's a balk".

I'll have to try the "show me in 8.05 where it would be a balk".

I suggest you acquire, and share with your association, the Jim Evans Pitching Regulations and Balks video, available at the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring website. It will correct this, and probably other, misconceptions about what is and isn't a balk.