Stupid Balk Question

[3appleshigh]

Lefty pitcher, Low set at Waist, Lifts Knee up straight, and Hands up then throws to first or home. If this happens and he throws to first is this a balk? For the moving of his hands? Or would he need to pump his hands some, as in Come up and drop before separating and throwing to first? The hand movement was exactly the same and seemed separate from the throwing action. In fact sometime when he threw home he would not move hands at all. He only threw over to first twice, and I couldn't convince myself either way if it was a balk, so I never called it. Not sure what I would have done had he persisted.

[3appleshigh]

Help a brother out, is this a balk or not?

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by 3appleshigh

Help a brother out, is this a balk or not?

I guess I'm having a hard time envisioning what you're describing. Is he making two completely seperate motions?


Tim.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Two possible choices here:

1) Hell no that's not a balk, what, are you serious?

2) Damn right that's a balk, what, are you kidding?

Pick one.

[3appleshigh]

OK In regard to the Lefty Lift of Foot then step to first and throw or go Home, can he also Raise his hands in a similar motion to that which he does when pitching. To be honest It was a tough move to describe and obviously I'm having a tough time deciding what should have been called if anything.

The pitcher starts Set With hands together at waist orf crotch level, Now he lifts his Leg straight up and his arms up to nipple level then either goes to first or to home. He did this very quickly, and was definatly causing the runners fits.

Does this help any?

[3appleshigh]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Two possible choices here:

1) Hell no that's not a balk, what, are you serious?

2) Damn right that's a balk, what, are you kidding?

Pick one.

Wow so helpful thank you.

[ncump7]

The picture I get when reading this description sounds legal as long as he steps correctly, and doesn't stop his motion after he starts.

[bob jenkins]

Did he do anything that committed him to home? If not (and I don't see it) it's legal.

[waltjp]

Sounds as if you're describing a variation in the pitcher's delivery from pitch to pitch. If so, you have to evaluate each delivery as a separate entity and judge if it's legal or not. There's no requirement for a pitcher to use the same delivery and motion for each pitch.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by 3appleshigh

Lefty pitcher, Low set at Waist, Lifts Knee up straight, and Hands up then throws to first or home. If this happens and he throws to first is this a balk? For the moving of his hands? Or would he need to pump his hands some, as in Come up and drop before separating and throwing to first? The hand movement was exactly the same and seemed separate from the throwing action. In fact sometime when he threw home he would not move hands at all. He only threw over to first twice, and I couldn't convince myself either way if it was a balk, so I never called it. Not sure what I would have done had he persisted.

Ummm Lefty, huh?
Ummmmm hands up, set to waist, knee up, hands move but don't move?

I agree with SanDiegoSteve:

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Two possible choices here:

1) Hell no that's not a balk, what, are you serious?

2) Damn right that's a balk, what, are you kidding?

Pick one.

[GarthB]

As best as I can understand your description, no balk here.

[bluehair]

Originally Posted by 3appleshigh

In fact sometime when he threw home he would not move hands at all.

That I'd have to see to believe.

I still can't see what you're describing.

[Jim Porter]

After he comes to a complete stop and lifts his non-pivot foot to begin his motion, it doesn't matter much what he does with his hands as long as he doesn't separate them except to either deliver the pitch or throw to a base.

With a left-handed pitcher throwing to first base, you should be more concerned about what he does with his free foot than his hands. Make sure his free foot doesn't swing beyond the back edge of the rubber before he throws to first, make sure he gains distance and direction in making a step before throwing to first, and make sure he steps more towards first than home before throwing to first.

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by Jim Porter

After he comes to a complete stop and lifts his non-pivot foot to begin his motion, it doesn't matter much what he does with his hands as long as he doesn't separate them except to either deliver the pitch or throw to a base.

With a left-handed pitcher throwing to first base, you should be more concerned about what he does with his free foot than his hands. Make sure his free foot doesn't swing beyond the back edge of the rubber before he throws to first, make sure he gains distance and direction in making a step before throwing to first, and make sure he steps more towards first than home before throwing to first.

OR lean back then step to 1B

[Jim Porter]

Originally Posted by socalblue1

OR lean back then step to 1B

I'm not quite sure what you mean, but in my post I was talking about what happens after the pitcher lifts his free foot to begin his motion.