Signs of Rubber

[woolnojg]

scblue -
You have correctly identified the penalty for an illegal pitch.
The pitching rules do not take effect until the feet are in contact with the rubber. So how do you justify giving a penalty in the OP?

[scarolinablue]

Originally Posted by woolnojg

scblue -
You have correctly identified the penalty for an illegal pitch.
The pitching rules do not take effect until the feet are in contact with the rubber. So how do you justify giving a penalty in the OP?

I probably wouldn't ever call it. How would you really prove when the pitcher actually took the signals? I believe the intent of the rule is to prevent quick-pitching, or deceiving the batter, or preventing delay. However, FED provides for this being an illegal act, so you have that to back you up when the defensive coach comes out to argue after you DO call it.

Originally Posted by woolnojg

scblue -
You have correctly identified the penalty for an illegal pitch.
The pitching rules do not take effect until the feet are in contact with the rubber. So how do you justify giving a penalty in the OP?

From 6-1-1
He shall take his sign from the catcher with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate.

From 6-2-5
ART. 5... It is also a balk if a runner or runners are on base and the pitcher, while he is not touching the pitcher's plate, makes any movement naturally associated with his pitch, or he places his feet on or astride the pitcher's plate

Since taking the signal must be from the pitchers plate, to not do so constitutes an action naturally associated with the pitch without the pivot foot on the rubber. How do you catch it - sometimes just a nod of the head or shaking the head side to side to change a sign. A lot of guys don't call it for any number of reasons - it's a technical violation, etc. Some won't call it because they don't know the rule. If you call it a a frosh game you'll probably get an earful from the coach - "this isn't varsity, you know" If you don't call it maybe the other team will chirp in and say - "hey, isn't that a balk?"

[3appleshigh]

BIGGUY I have a simple question

ARE YOU SERIOUS???

[cbfoulds]

Originally Posted by BigGuy

Since taking the signal must be from the pitchers plate, ...

WRONG!! See my earlier post.

Originally Posted by BigGuy

...to not do so constitutes an action naturally associated with the pitch without the pivot foot on the rubber.

You cannot possibly be serious!?!

Who [name names, dammit, someone deserves serious internet embarassment] taught you this garbage?

You SERIOUSLY need to buy and READ some umpiring references, such as the J/R, Carl's BRD, the PBUC manuals; ANYTHING but relying on the woeful founts of ignorance and misinformation you have depended on heretofore.

Since taking a sign does not involve any movement of hands, arms, feet or legs, it cannot possibly be an "action naturally associated with..." a PITCH! C'mmon... you knew this didn't you?

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by BigGuy

From 6-1-1
He shall take his sign from the catcher with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate.

From 6-2-5
ART. 5... It is also a balk if a runner or runners are on base and the pitcher, while he is not touching the pitcher's plate, makes any movement naturally associated with his pitch, or he places his feet on or astride the pitcher's plate

Since taking the signal must be from the pitchers plate, to not do so constitutes an action naturally associated with the pitch without the pivot foot on the rubber. How do you catch it - sometimes just a nod of the head or shaking the head side to side to change a sign. A lot of guys don't call it for any number of reasons - it's a technical violation, etc. Some won't call it because they don't know the rule. If you call it a a frosh game you'll probably get an earful from the coach - "this isn't varsity, you know" If you don't call it maybe the other team will chirp in and say - "hey, isn't that a balk?"

As before, it seems to be you that doesn't know the rule.

The rule does not say that it's a balk (or IP) for taking a sign from the catcher while off the rubber. I'll give you a billion dollars if you can find a rule that says that.

It DOES say that you must take signs from the rubber - so if a pitcher takes signs from off the rubber, and then takes them (or appears to be taking them - which is what is UNIVERSALLY taught in all clinics (probably with the sole exception of YOUR association, which teaches some other bizarre rule-ignoring that you've mentioned in other threads)) from the rubber, he has done what he is required to do.

Hang around here for a while, you'll learn something.

[Rich Ives]

Who [name names, dammit, someone deserves serious internet embarassment] taught you this garbage?


Probably the same person that taught him the obstruction rule.

[LMan]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Who [name names, dammit, someone deserves serious internet embarassment] taught you this garbage?


Probably the same person that taught him the obstruction rule.

Well, when you completely deny all aspects of judgement in your umpiring, this is the inevitable result.

[Blue37]

Is anyone else having trouble seeing any posts past Garth's? His, yesterday at 10:25, is the last I can see.

I am posting this to see if it refreshes my display.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by BigGuy

From 6-1-1
He shall take his sign from the catcher with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate.

From 6-2-5
ART. 5... It is also a balk if a runner or runners are on base and the pitcher, while he is not touching the pitcher's plate, makes any movement naturally associated with his pitch, or he places his feet on or astride the pitcher's plate

Since taking the signal must be from the pitchers plate, to not do so constitutes an action naturally associated with the pitch without the pivot foot on the rubber. How do you catch it - sometimes just a nod of the head or shaking the head side to side to change a sign. A lot of guys don't call it for any number of reasons - it's a technical violation, etc. Some won't call it because they don't know the rule. If you call it a a frosh game you'll probably get an earful from the coach - "this isn't varsity, you know" If you don't call it maybe the other team will chirp in and say - "hey, isn't that a balk?"

Oh, my.