Balk or No Balk

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by cookie

"The question I have is whether he turns his shoulders?"

I think those addressing that line of questioning are referring to his shoulder turn to check the runner when his is contact with the rubber and in the stretch prior to coming set. It used to be illegal in FED. It isn't any more.

[johnnyg08]

what rule refers to the shoulders? distance and direction...

[DG]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

what rule refers to the shoulders? distance and direction...

6-1-1 refers to shoulders. 6-2-4b is the rule that requires the pitcher to step directly toward a base to throw there and "distance and direction" are commonly used interpretive words to explain what stepping directly means.

[MadCityRef]

Problem I see is he doesn't disengage the rubber first.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by MadCityRef

Problem I see is he doesn't disengage the rubber first.

Why should he? He's stepping and throwing to a base without making a move toward home.

Edited to add: The only reasons to disengage are 1. F1 performs the move incorrectly while engaged and, 2. So many umpires mistakenly think that a RH must disengage to throw to first.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by MadCityRef

Problem I see is he doesn't disengage the rubber first.

no, no, no, no,...anybody who's played baseball at any level about T-ball...

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by MadCityRef

Problem I see is he doesn't disengage the rubber first.

that is not a requirement for throwing to a base

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

what rule refers to the shoulders? distance and direction...

Fed cites the shoulder turn as being a balk after coming set.

Some years back, since, in FED, pitching regulations began when the pitcher made contact with the rubber, the interpretation was that the shoulder turn was also illegal when in the stretch. That has specifically been changed.

And, while distance and direction is used by umpires, that phrase is not in the FED rule book.

[cookie]

"I think those addressing that line of questioning are referring to his shoulder turn to check the runner when his is contact with the rubber and in the stretch prior to coming set. It used to be illegal in FED. It isn't any more."

You're right Bossman. I was viewing the question about the shoulders after F1 had come to the Set, and my post was written from that perspective.