Stepping toward 1st from stretch - Balk?

505 ump · #1 (**permalink**) Tue May 01, 2007, 06:35pm

If I read the stance correct from the stich, it is just a very open stance. If F1 twitches towards the plate, he has committed himself to pitch. I see no problem with the set as long as he opens the stance with the movement back towards the rubber and not after the set postion has been established.

My 2cents

tarheelcoach · #2 (**permalink**) Tue May 01, 2007, 09:14pm

I'm pretty sure I know what this is - I've seen this before - it is a Little League windup. The pitcher starts in the stretch, but then steps towards first and THEN towards home as he delivers.
We played a horrid school team last week who's pitcher did this. I asked the umpire before we started if it was a balk - he said he would let it go with no runners on, but would be a balk with a runner on base - you have to throw to first if you step in that direction while on the rubber, right?

GarthB · #3 (**permalink**) Tue May 01, 2007, 11:38pm

1. Coming set in an open stance is legal...no balk.

2. A pitcher does not have to come set in the same manner everytime.

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