NF Balk rule

[Fritz]

Originally Posted by Illini_Ref

Here was the premise for my question. This move was taught to HS players by a local coach and he asked me about it.

RH pitcher. Runner on first, pitcher in the set position. Pitcher picks his rigth (non pivot) foot straight up as he would his left to pitch (about 2 feet off the ground). Some runners, who are not real experienced at the HS level, will go when the knee comes up not realizing which knee it is. Pitcher then brings the foot down behind the rubber and throws to second.

I have a problem with this play, although it is not specifically covered in the rules. Maybe you could stretch them to say that the movement is one that is "associated with his delivery", but is it really since it is the other leg?

He throws to 2nd? Has the runner already taken off? If the runner is still at 1st, you have a balk for throwing to an unoccupied and there being no play. But let's say he steps off in the manner you describe and throws to first. Explain your rationale for a balk call when the DC says the pitcher was simply and properly disengaging from the rubber.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Fritz

He throws to 2nd? Has the runner already taken off? If the runner is still at 1st, you have a balk for throwing to an unoccupied and there being no play. But let's say he steps off in the manner you describe and throws to first. Explain your rationale for a balk call when the DC says the pitcher was simply and properly disengaging from the rubber.

No you don't. He stepped off first, so he's an infielder and can throw wherever he wishes.

I don't buy the idea that lifting his pivot foot off really high is simulating a pitch. Runners should go back to the base when the pivot foot moves. I'm not balking that. That confers an advantage only if the runner's an idiot.

The rules specify that disengaging the rubber involves moving the pivot foot directly back behind the rubber. It doesn't say how hight the knee is allowed to go as F1 steps off.

[Fritz]

yep, my bad mb. Two trains of thought going on in the brain at the same time; then my fingers decided to send a text (a la California) and you see the result.

[JJ]

I don't have a problem with this move PROVIDED that pivot foot not only moves up but moves back off the rubber. If the pitcher lifts the foot straight up and hesitates, then he is not disengaging the rubber properly as required by rule.

I'm with mbyron that if a runner sees that pivot foot move he should return to first - there's no way the first movement of a pitcher pitching is the pivot foot moving UP. If a runner falls victim to this move he's not very experienced.

Also, if the pitcher isn't making a play and time is not granted, you COULD still have that 20 second clock ticking....

JJ