Going to Mouth FED
 

During our last association meeting, we were told that when the pitcher goes to his mouth while off the rubber and then steps on w/o wiping, it is just a BALL, even with runners on base. It is a BALK if pitcher goes to his mouth on the rubber and does not wipe. Apparently this came as a result of an email from the state rule's interpreter. Can anyone substantiate this?

FED 6-2-1e-Illegal acts include: bring the pitching hand in contact with the mouth without distinctly wiping off the pitching hand before it touches the ball

PENALTY-A ball shall be awarded each time a pitcher violates this rule and subsequently engages the pitching plate.

But now that I'm looking, I can't find a penalty for the pitcher when he is engaged and goes to his mouth.

engaged and goes to mouth, no runners on base, "ball"

engaged, runners on base, goes to mouth, "balk"

I don't like the interpretation, because the going to the mouth is not the balk action, it's simulating the start of the pitching motion that is the balk. this causes confusion w/ OBR...oh well.

This is correct. He can go to his mouth on the dirt and as long as he wipes before he engages the rubber, he's fine. If not, it's a ball or balk.

I'm pretty sure he can go to his mouth on the grass and not wipe at all and be okay.

Not that I don't believe you all, but could you give some references? I've been searching through my book and haven't found much, other than what I originally posted.

From last year's FED power point online clinic:

In the dirt, hand to mouth, wipes hand...nothing
In the dirt, hand to mouth, touches ball before wiping off...ball to batter
On the rubber, hand to mouth, wipe off or not, illegal pitch, ball to batter unless runners on base, then balk for the motion.

case book, page 50. 6.2.1 a, 6.2.1 b

Not until he engages. Prior to that, he may request a new ball and receive absolution for his sin.

FED rules by topic, page 58, 6.1.3 situation O.

For the balk, it's just the balk rule (6-1-2 and 3). He's simulated the start of a pitch.

Off the rubber, the reference is 6-2-1e.

It's also in the last sentence of the "Pitching" POE.

That said, there's an unannounced (but marked) change to case 6.1.2D this year -- the action of "adjusting your hat" while on the rubber is now LEGAL. So, if this change has been made, why is going to the mouth still "an action simulating the start of a pitch?" Maybe it will be changed next year to be consistent.

Makes sense, Bob. That falls under the "don't look for trouble" rules.

I had the "in the dirt" discussion tonight. I found the engaged, ...and then engages, ...prior to engaging info - but didn't see the "on the dirt" part.

Where is this POE that was mentioned?

Nevermind - I found it...and it didn't help for my sitch

I think the on the dirt part was changed for FED.

changed to be legal? or changed FROM being legal?