Would you have called a balk?

[ozzy6900]

I am posting to the original quote of Tim so we can get back on track here.

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I did a varsity game tonight and for the first time I had a pitcher straddle the rubber and lean in to take his signs in a high school game. Of course the opposing coach immediately wanted a balk called since we had an R1 and an R2. I know that technically under 6.1 this is a balk. My question to you is would you have called it. Under OBR it's just a "don't do that."

Tim.

Let's start with the FED 6-1-1 portion that deals with the question.....

FED 6-1
ART. 1 ... The pitcher shall pitch while facing the batter from either a windup position (Art. 2) or a set position (Art 3). The position of his feet determine whether he will pitch from the windup or the set position. He shall take his sign from the catcher with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate.

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Now we will proceed to the PENALTY at the end of FED ART 3....

FED 6-1-3

PENALTY (ART. 1, 2, 3): The ball is dead immediately when an illegal pitch occurs. If there is no runner, a ball is awarded the batter. If there is a runner, such illegal act is a balk. In both situations, the umpire signals dead ball.

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Now to answer some of the questions posted to the thread (not you Tim, I know that you know the rules here). FED 6-1-3 PENALTY is the penalty for violations of any of pitching rules in FED 6-1 ART 1, 2 & 3 PERIOD!
People, please don't try to read into anything further, this is the penalty for the first 3 Articles of FED 6!

Also, I looked into the FED Casebook (sometimes I wonder why they even bother printing it) and they speak ad-nausium of F1 taking signs but alas, it seems that the FED assumes in each case that F1 is in proper contact with the rubber. Why should they assume otherwise? All the FED coaches properly instruct their players with the proper procedures of the FED, right?

So Steve, back to you. We are in agreement that in FED, if F1 is taking his sign off the rubber is indeed a balk! We (because of past discussions) also agree that it is a frivolous balk call and that OBR is correct in calling it a "don't do that!".

Now after all that, Steve, I'll answer your question: "Would I have called it?". My answer to you and the opposing coach is simple - I have no idea when F1 is in fact taking his sign! F1 can be standing there and F2 can be flexing his fingers for all I know (or care). Just as long as F1 does not Quick Pitch, there will not be a problem. Now I'll tell you this, if a coach complains to me once, both F1's from that point had better be aware that I and my partner will be watching the rest of the game. If F2 so much as flinches with F1 straddling the rubber, we will balk the hell out of F1 (and I've done it in several Varsity and sub-varsity games in the past).

Regards