Windup - disengage

[DG]

Originally Posted by eureka25

Just curious to see how you guys handle the situation when the coach barks "He is off the rubber and he can't do that."

Ignore him unless he keeps it up (ie clueless to what ignore means) and then tell him "that's enough".

[umpjim]

Searched for this topic and revived this thread for my question. When a pitcher in the windup steps back toward 2B with the non pivot foot and in so doing breaks contact with pivot foot to reposition I don't call anything unless the pivot foot comes high enough off the rubber that I judge an advantage in momentum is gained. I haven't had to fend off many complaints on this but when I do I'll tell the coach that the pitcher is or is not "running into the pitch". The call, BTW, is "do not do that."

When some pitchers start their windup facing 3B, the non pivot foot steps back to 1B and the pivot foot can also break contact, some coming a good bit off the rubber. There is no mometum gained toward the plate. Should I require these pitchers to maintain contact if there is no need for foot reposition? Is my "running into the pitch" rationale correct?

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by umpjim

Searched for this topic and revived this thread for my question. When a pitcher in the windup steps back toward 2B with the non pivot foot and in so doing breaks contact with pivot foot to reposition I don't call anything unless the pivot foot comes high enough off the rubber that I judge an advantage in momentum is gained. I haven't had to fend off many complaints on this but when I do I'll tell the coach that the pitcher is or is not "running into the pitch". The call, BTW, is "do not do that."

When some pitchers start their windup facing 3B, the non pivot foot steps back to 1B and the pivot foot can also break contact, some coming a good bit off the rubber. There is no mometum gained toward the plate. Should I require these pitchers to maintain contact if there is no need for foot reposition? Is my "running into the pitch" rationale correct?

What criteria do you use to guage whether the pitcher actually gains an advantage in momentum or not. How do you measure that?

Don't take this the wrong way but, I recommend not conducting science experments out on the mound because, at some point your going to have to prove your hypothesis and that might just get a little tricky. Save that for the "MYTH BUSTERS" and concentrate on calling the balks that can be actually explained as having vilolated a particular rule.

Just my opinion.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by umpjim

Is my "running into the pitch" rationale correct?

No, imo.