Another balk question

[Brad M]

I coach 12-13 year olds in Canada with full baseball rules. When a righthanded pitcher wants to pick off at first wihtout taking his foot off the rubber, I understand that he must step toward first base and that he must not fake the throw. My question is this. Can he lift his left knee in a similar manner to what he would do when delivering the pitch before he pivots and steps to throw to first, or this considered part of his normal delivery and therefor a deception(balk). I can't find in the rules why this would be illegal when it is OK for a lefty to raise his knee in exactly the same motion as if he were pitching and then step and throw to first.

[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by Brad M

I coach 12-13 year olds in Canada with full baseball rules. When a righthanded pitcher wants to pick off at first wihtout taking his foot off the rubber, I understand that he must step toward first base and that he must not fake the throw. My question is this. Can he lift his left knee in a similar manner to what he would do when delivering the pitch before he pivots and steps to throw to first, or this considered part of his normal delivery and therefor a deception(balk). I can't find in the rules why this would be illegal when it is OK for a lefty to raise his knee in exactly the same motion as if he were pitching and then step and throw to first.

This is the one advantage lefties have. Righties have the same advantage going to third but there are less pickoff attempts there. A good lefty (Andy Petitie) borders on the line of a balk.

A righty can do the jump turn, jab step move but if he lifts his non-pivot foot (not in a direction towards first), he can either go to second base or pitch.

Here's the rule


OBR 8.01(b) After assuming Set Position, any natural motion associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without alteration or interruption.

Pete Booth



[Edited by PeteBooth on Jun 11th, 2002 at 09:11 AM]

[Jerry]

The first movement for a pickoff attempt must be a step toward the base. Period. In the case of a lefty lifting his foot, he's already pointed toward 1st; that's to his advantage obviously. A "righty" has that same advantage toward 3rd base. A lifting of the leg straight up by a right-hander is his first move, and hence the balk. His turning of the foot toward 1st is then the 2nd move.

If I'm not mistaken, NCAA kind of evens the playing field in that respect. Once a pitcher bends his knee, he's committed to pitch. The same's not true for OBR or FED.

Jerry

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by Jerry
If I'm not mistaken, NCAA kind of evens the playing field in that respect.

You are.

[Jerry]

Bob,
I'm not so sure I'm mistaken . . . but I could be.

According to NCAA Rule 9, Section 3 c.(4) "The pitcher may not deceive a base runner by prematurely flexing either leg before stepping directly and throwing to first base."

I believe that Rule remains in effect for 2002.

OBR and FED do not have a similar requirement. Talk to me, Bob.

Jerry

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by Jerry
Bob,
I'm not so sure I'm mistaken . . . but I could be.

According to NCAA Rule 9, Section 3 c.(4) "The pitcher may not deceive a base runner by prematurely flexing either leg before stepping directly and throwing to first base."

I believe that Rule remains in effect for 2002.

OBR and FED do not have a similar requirement. Talk to me, Bob.

Jerry

It's a different movement.

The first is "bending the leg to the 'balance point'" -- that doesn't commit the LHP to the plate.

The second is flexing the leg(s) / bending the knee(s) while standing in the set (usually) position -- it's the precursor to moving to the balance point. Although only the NCAA has specific wording on this, it is the rule in both FED and OBR as well (that is, it's a motion to pitch).