Balk question

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by PWL

I'm only talking about stepping back off the rubber, not stepping and throwing to a base. This is what was being showed in a meeting. Whatever they show, I try to go by. I thought perhaps it to be a little different than the OBR rule. Anyway, so many of the pitching rules are "compromised". I often work with people that have their own interpretations of what they will call a balk. They is why I have leaned to offer leeway on some of the things that are really balks, but a "don't do that" really works best. I feel sometimes it hasn't been called all year, so the pitcher doesn't know. I work with people that are good umpires, but they could careless about the subtleties of some rules.

I'm not sure what they are showing you at the meetings, but just for the record, here is what the rules say:

Windup Position: "After the pitcher has placed his pivot foot on the ground clearly behind the plate, he has the right to change to the set position, or throw or feint to a base the same as that of any other fielder." (6-1-2)

Set Position: "After the pitcher has placed his pivot foot on the ground clearly behind the plate, he then has the right to throw or feint to a base the same as that of any other fielder." (6-1-3)

The only possible interpretation is that he MAY (or may not, logically) throw or feint to a base. He is not required to do this. He can step backwards off the rubber with his pivot foot, and leave his free foot on the rubber, and just stand there like that all he wants.