pitching move

[coastratdog]

is a pitcher allowed to make a move (taking a step toward while on the rubber), without making a throwing motion, to any base, occupied or not? would this be considered just stepping off the rubber regardless of which base he steps toward or if there are any base runners. hopefully your answers settle this issue. this is little league 13/14 age group.

thanks

tjc

[RPatrino]

The only legal way to fake to first is to step off the rubber, by moving the pivot foot BACK. The other bases can be faked to while on the slab. A move toward the plate, absent a pitch is a balk (or illegal pitch depending on code).

Now, if the pitcher attempts a pick off move after stepping off the rubber, and throws the ball into DBT, what is the award?

(Vet's need not reply, leave this one for the rookies)

[UmpJM]

coastratdog,

You will find your question completely and correctly answered in the thread which can be found at the following link:

a different scenerio for a balk call?

Oh wait, that was your thread too.

ADD, or was something unclear to you?

Ozzy may have had a brief "senior moment", but, it appears he got together with him mentor, Mr. Daniels, over a rulebook and got his head right again.

JM

[RPatrino]

Does seem we rehash things over and over, don't we. It's like deja vu.....well you know.

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by coastratdog

is a pitcher allowed to make a move (taking a step toward while on the rubber), without making a throwing motion, to any base, occupied or not? would this be considered just stepping off the rubber regardless of which base he steps toward or if there are any base runners. hopefully your answers settle this issue. this is little league 13/14 age group.

thanks

tjc

Well, the base has to be occupied, else it's a balk.

But a fake only requires a step. No arm motion is required in a fake.