Moving Hands

[umpire99]

The pitcher comes to the set position just below his chin. His hands are continually moving. I assume he is getting his grip on his pitch. Could this be considered a balk?

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by umpire99

The pitcher comes to the set position just below his chin. His hands are continually moving. I assume he is getting his grip on his pitch. Could this be considered a balk?

Think of the intent of the rule.

Does the movement appear to be the start of his delivery, or is he just adjusting the ball?

[umpire99]

Thanks Garth. I thought of that as I was calling the game. Then I noticed a couple of runners start and stop when the movement was going on. I called a balk and the movement stopped.

[UmpLarryJohnson]

Pitch is allowed to momentary adjust the ball/change grip in the glove in the set--dont balk for this.

if he saparates hands or start--stops motion to deliver then balk it

[mbyron]

F1 is allowed to adjust the ball BUT he still must come set.

[RPatrino]

As Mike said, he is allowed to adjust the ball, in his glove momentarily. He must stop fiddling around in the glove and come set, prior to delivering the pitch. Being set means the F1 must stop moving.....period.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

As Mike said, he is allowed to adjust the ball, in his glove momentarily. He must stop fiddling around in the glove and come set, prior to delivering the pitch. Being set means the F1 must stop moving.....period.

If, after coming set, the glove is not moving, but he is still "twirling" the ball in the glove with his fingers, I've got nothing.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by umpire99

Thanks Garth. I thought of that as I was calling the game. Then I noticed a couple of runners start and stop when the movement was going on. I called a balk and the movement stopped.

Good call. If it was freezing runners, there was most likely too much movement.

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by umpire99

The pitcher comes to the set position just below his chin. His hands are continually moving. I assume he is getting his grip on his pitch. Could this be considered a balk?

Yes, it can be interpreted as a balk. Try sending out F2 with a suggestion/warning to see if F1 will stop or modify, problem solved if he does.