HS Coach Strikes Umpire

[blueump]

I was checking out the original news clip and apparently the visiting team won on a balk call - attempted hidden ball trick. The official ruling was that the pitcher was still in dirt area of the mound, thus a balk was called. I thought a pitcher had to be on or astride the pitching plate for this to be a balk? Am I off here?

[JRutledge]

The pitcher cannot be around 6 feet from the pitching rubber in FED rules. So you would be off on this issue.

The umpire should have taken off his helmet and beat the coach with it. At least it would have taken a lot for me not to do that. The coach was wrong and did not back off. I see nothing wrong with the umpire's actions.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

The pitcher cannot be around 6 feet from the pitching rubber in FED rules. So you would be off on this issue.

The umpire should have taken off his helmet and beat the coach with it. At least it would have taken a lot for me not to do that. The coach was wrong and did not back off. I see nothing wrong with the umpire's actions.

Peace

Approximately 5 feet is the NFHS rule. If the ball was live (I'm assuming it was), then it was clearly a balk as the pitcher was clearly within 5 feet of the rubber.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Approximately 5 feet is the NFHS rule. If the ball was live (I'm assuming it was), then it was clearly a balk as the pitcher was clearly within 5 feet of the rubber.

I think 6 feet is set in my mind because of basketball. The bottom line you can be called for a balk if you are not straddling the rubber. Thanks for the clarification.

Peace

[MadCityRef]

Originally Posted by GarthB

The one sin this umpire committed was the failure to remove his helmet.

His sin was wearing a dazzle shirt. Anyone see a zipper?
He looked to be six feet behind the catcher. No wonder he was getting grief. Buy the HSM but stand that far back?
Yes, when talking with a coach (especially if you're gonna launch him) take off the mask, and the

[blueump]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

The pitcher cannot be around 6 feet from the pitching rubber in FED rules. So you would be off on this issue.
Peace

Found it - FED 6-2-5

""or positions himself within approximately 5 feet of the pitcher's plate without having the ball"

Thanks J!