3rd -to - 1st Fake: Hands?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by bigda65

SA
Does fed really require hands to come apart?
If he didn't disengage, then restart, then I agree.

Or is this another FED difference between OBR?

Since arm motion isn't required, there's no need to separate the hands on the feint.

[SAump]

Disengagement isn't over!

Pitchers are allowed to seperate their hands during a feint. This is legal under FED Rule 6-2-4e.
It is a balk if he takes a hand off the ball
... unless he ... steps toward and feints a throw ... 3B.

I said it was a good question w/ a very complicated answer.
And where does it say that a "legal" feint doesn't require any arm motion?
Is it written in a FED, NCAA or OBR rulebook?

[bigda65]

Ok,

So he steps toward 3B, doesn't throw, disengage, or seperate his hands. Now what??

Wouldn't this be a dont do that?
Hey pitch, step off and start over, or is this a balk in FED?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by bigda65

Ok,

So he steps toward 3B, doesn't throw, disengage, or seperate his hands. Now what??

Now the "pitching cycle" starts anew. Yes, at some point, the hands must separate. They need not separate as part of the step / feint to third, though (and that was the OP). IF F1 maintians contact with the rubber during the feint, and tries to get immediately back in the set position, call time and get him to take the rubber properly. It's not a balk.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Now the "pitching cycle" starts anew. Yes, at some point, the hands must separate. They need not separate as part of the step / feint to third, though (and that was the OP). IF F1 maintians contact with the rubber during the feint, and tries to get immediately back in the set position, call time and get him to take the rubber properly. It's not a balk.

Exactly. The reason for the rule is to prevent a quick pitch, not to penalize someone for failure to separate the hands. Timeframe to separate? Before he takes his position again on the rubber.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SAump

Disengagement isn't over!

Pitchers are allowed to seperate their hands during a feint. This is legal under FED Rule 6-2-4e.
It is a balk if he takes a hand off the ball
... unless he ... steps toward and feints a throw ... 3B.

I said it was a good question w/ a very complicated answer.
And where does it say that a "legal" feint doesn't require any arm motion?
Is it written in a FED, NCAA or OBR rulebook?

Most of the time, violations are listed in the book; if it's not written, it's legal.

Note that the the balk rule (6-2-4b) in FED lists "failing to STEP toward a base ..."; it says nothing about "failing to make an arm motion associated with a throw"