Coach needing assistance with balks

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Some youth leagues don't call balks on 11U teams. You might check on that as well.

This is Atlanta.

[QUOTE=DG]Since I don't know what ruleset I will offer a few basics.

2. When on the rubber in set or windup position, if you want to step off step off with the non-pivot foot (ie same as pitching hand side foot).

DG - I've seen enough of your posts, but on this one you either kicked it or just mis-stated. (I'd like to think the latter) From either position, you can only step off with your pivot foot. Any movement of the non-pivot foot unless it is going into the "stretch", pitching to the plate, or stepping to a base for the purpose of picking off a runner is a balk.

[DG]

[QUOTE=BigGuy]

Originally Posted by DG

Since I don't know what ruleset I will offer a few basics.

2. When on the rubber in set or windup position, if you want to step off step off with the non-pivot foot (ie same as pitching hand side foot).

DG - I've seen enough of your posts, but on this one you either kicked it or just mis-stated. (I'd like to think the latter) From either position, you can only step off with your pivot foot. Any movement of the non-pivot foot unless it is going into the "stretch", pitching to the plate, or stepping to a base for the purpose of picking off a runner is a balk.

You got me. I don't know what I was thinking. Stepping off with the same foot as the pitching hand IS stepping off with the pivot foot, not the non-pivot. Stepping off with the non-pivot is a balk. Thanks.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by Rufus

My question is about balks and how to instruct my pitchers not to do it and what the players should look for when they are base runners. I understand that there is (legal) deception involved when trying to pick someone off a base so I'm not trying to take that out of the game. I am, however, wanting to make the players (and myself) as knowledgeable as I can about a facet of the game that is new to them this year and, based on my research of prior postings on this site, subject to some controversy.

Gotta watch who you're listening to on this forum.

...would appreciate any guidance you could provide from your experiences and/or common mistakes/legal moves you've seen while umpiring.

Thanks in advance.

Drop me an email at:

http://tinyurl.com/yobtd9

and I will send you back a phone number, we can talk you through this. Used to teach this sorta class all the time, coaches, parents, kids, lotta fun, lotta learning

[PeteBooth]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by Rufus

Hey there. I'm a first year coach for an 11U recreational league team operating under USSSA. I believe we are using NFHS rules, where they are not superseded by USSSA or county rules, but am not sure (and have an email into the league coordinator to find out).

I believe USSA is an OBR based organization, BUT depending upon one's area they have adopted SOME FED rules namely the FPSR and Malicious Contact rule.

Personally I do not know too many 11U leagues that use STRICTLY FED rules.

Also, I do not know how developed these young F1's ( you said 11U) are so I would not "go crazy" about the Balks.

I would simply go over the "no brainer" ones and then later on as the child develops and gets older is where I would work on the pick-off moves and the "other" type balks.

The no brainer ones would be: F1 starts his pitching motion and then stops as he sees a runner taking off for the next base.

You cannot fake a throw to first base while in contact with the pitcher's plate.

Whenever the young F1 does get flustered (until he gains experience) it's best to simply instruct him the proper way to disengage the pitcher's plate (step backwords with pivot foot) That way he is a fielder and can fake a throw etc. without being called for balk.

As far as the "other" balks as previously mentioned I would not worry about these at this young age. It's more important for an 11 yr. old to throw strikes and not walk the ball-park.

Pete Booth

[Rufus]

You guys are really coming through! I did confirm with the league coordinator that they are using the USSSA rules and I've printed a copy of those off and will be reviewing them. I also spoke with the president of the official's association handling most of our games (fortunately we both officiated basketball this winter so I knew who to reach out to) and he reiterated most of what's been posted (keep it simple, throw strikes, don't do "obvious" balks).

Given this I'm definitely going to keep it simple at first (we've beened rained out of a bunch of practices - good for the drought, bad for developing skills), then I'll start introducing refinements as the season progresses. As weird as this sounds I'm hoping to play a team that does pick offs at a "higher" level so the kids can see, and experience, the difference. Sometimes that helps more than any coach-led demonstration can.

[johnnyg08]

I guess we can split hairs over coaching philosophies until we're all blue in the face, but I think as umpires we wouild all appreciate a young pitcher knowing how to propery pitch and throw strikes first, then the intricacies of a balk...I don't think there's a wrong opinion on here...but you'll win more games than you'll lose if your pitchers throw strikes. Typically a balk or two isn't going to kill you and getting a balk or two called on you is usually how pitcher's learn best.