How long to stop?

[danreeves1973]

Called a 13-14 boys game tonight, OBR used. I'm BU. Visiting coach politely asked (no, really) me about the home pitcher not coming to a complete stop once he came set. He tried to say they have to come to a stop for a full second. Conversation was polite, I told him I'd keep an eye on both teams for that.

My question: after looking at OBR, it says "...The pitcher, following his stretch, must (a) hold the ball in both hands in front of his body and (b) come to a complete stop."

In my situation, kid was pausing, was short pause, but IMO he did come to a complete stop everytime, there was a discernable time of no movement. Just not long enough for the coaches taste.

What are the best practises for watching for this, as in how long a stop is long enough?

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by danreeves1973

Called a 13-14 boys game tonight, OBR used. I'm BU. Visiting coach politely asked (no, really) me about the home pitcher not coming to a complete stop once he came set. He tried to say they have to come to a stop for a full second. Conversation was polite, I told him I'd keep an eye on both teams for that.

My question: after looking at OBR, it says "...The pitcher, following his stretch, must (a) hold the ball in both hands in front of his body and (b) come to a complete stop."

In my situation, kid was pausing, was short pause, but IMO he did come to a complete stop everytime, there was a discernable time of no movement. Just not long enough for the coaches taste.

What are the best practises for watching for this, as in how long a stop is long enough?

Dan,

If there was a "discernible time of no movement" that it seems to me that the pitcher was coming to a complete stop. There's no set time on how long he has to stop, like a half a second or some other arbitrary measurement. It's your judgment that counts, not the coaches. If you feel he came to a complete stop and didn't simply change directions, you're correct in not calling a balk.


Tim.

[Forest Ump]

There should be a pause where the hands have stopped and the leg has not started to move. How long? Well...in my judgement coach..

[UmpJM]

danreeves,

From JEA:

...Until 1964, the pitcher was required to come to a complete stop of at least one full second before delivering the ball to the batter. The "one second" was dropped from the 1964 rule and the "complete stop" became the arbitrary discretion of the umpire.

So, the correct response to the coach is, "Not since 1964, Skip."

JM

[mick]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

danreeves,

From JEA:



So, the correct response to the coach is, "Not since 1964, Skip."

JM

Interesting, JM.
Thanks.

[LakeErieUmp]

JM - are you sure you ever were a coach 'cause you're certainly not talking from the dark side anymore!

[danreeves1973]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

danreeves,

From JEA:



So, the correct response to the coach is, "Not since 1964, Skip."

JM

Very interesting, thanks for that information. Thought I was right not balking, and glad I now know the history behind the rule.

[Klokard]

This is a great subject for debate. I have never been one to look to pick boogers like some umpires. Whether on dish or bases all I do is go through in my mind, rubber, set, delivery. I expect more than just a change of direction but I see so many umpires that want alot more of a set. I don't call alot of balks for the set unless it is obvious. Count to 2 very fast.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Klokard

I have never been one to look to pick boogers like some umpires. Whether on dish or bases all I do is go through in my mind, rubber, set, delivery. I expect more than just a change of direction but I see so many umpires that want alot more of a set. I don't call alot of balks for the set unless it is obvious. Count to 2 very fast.

I agree with everything here except the last bit. Why not just enforce the rule as written? If you've got no "discernible stop," it's a balk, otherwise let it go. As usual, taking short cuts with the rules will get you in trouble at some point (for example, telling a knowledgeable coach: "see, coach, I count to 2 very fast, and if he starts his motion before that...").