Which rules do you enforce

[Nigel Tufnel]

Do any of you out there believe that a pitcher in the "gorilla arm" set is going to not only throw over to first but pick the guy off????????

Pick that booger all you want................

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by DG

From the 2005 Interps:

SITUATION #5: While in the set position, F1 has his pitching hand down in front of his body, swinging slowly as he gets the sign from the catcher. RULING: The use of this “gorilla” stance in the set position is illegal. A pitcher, for the set position, shall have his pitching hand down at his side or behind his back. (6-1-3)

Originally Posted by Paul L

The gorilla arm was a trademark of the late Rod Beck, at least when he was closing for the SF Giants back in the mid-90's. AFAIK, no one complained, including the umpires.

Yes, Shooter did that (when he was with the Padres too!), but I didn't know what it was called. Heath Bell does it too, and I think he got the idea from Beck. I have seen many HS pitchers do it, and I've never heard an opposing coach complain about it. I think it's cool, and intimidates the hitter a little. A little Psy-Ops never hurts. As far as I'm concerned, the arm is "at his side," and I would never dream of calling anything on that.

[johnnyg08]

No, but I did have one team complain about it once. So then I enforced it. I was pissed. The other coach wasn't too happy either. Fortunately, I don't see it at the FED level much anymore.

[DG]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Yes, Shooter did that (when he was with the Padres too!), but I didn't know what it was called. Heath Bell does it too, and I think he got the idea from Beck. I have seen many HS pitchers do it, and I've never heard an opposing coach complain about it. I think it's cool, and intimidates the hitter a little. A little Psy-Ops never hurts. As far as I'm concerned, the arm is "at his side," and I would never dream of calling anything on that.

The 2005 FED interp is the only place I have ever seen it forbidden. The NCAA allows it with no penalty. According to BRD 374 it is one of four "don't do that anymore" infractions, so it is interesting that a pickoff from that position would be allowed.

[justanotherblue]

The problem comes from a coaching/baserunner's ability to tell when the pitcher has come set. If the coach doesn't complain, let it go.

[GA Umpire]

My problem with the FED rule or any coach complaining about it is: How do you not know he is not set? The runners can clearly see the hand is not in the glove. There is no illegal deception going on. If the pitcher has his hand really close to the glove and it is perfectly still, then maaaaaaaaaaaaaybeeeeeee. But, other than that, who is being illegally deceived?

This is one of those rules which needs to go away and umpires quit calling unless someone actually complains about it. But, if the rule goes away, then the coaches can't complain about it anymore.

[DonInKansas]

Originally Posted by justanotherblue

The problem comes from a coaching/baserunner's ability to tell when the pitcher has come set. If the coach doesn't complain, let it go.

I'm pretty sure you can't "gorilla arm" in the set position.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by DonInKansas

I'm pretty sure you can't "gorilla arm" in the set position.

Why not?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by DonInKansas

I'm pretty sure you can't "gorilla arm" in the set position.

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

Why not?

I think he means once you have "come set," not the preliminary set position.

[justanotherblue]

hmmmm in the ten years I've been umpiring, I've never seen it done except in the set position. Just as Mr. Beck did. However YMMV. Than again, one must know the difference between the Wind-Up vs. the Set position, as well as the difference between pitching from the set position and coming set. Prior to coming set is where were discussing the gorilla arm movement. Again, YMMV. Generally speaking, you can see the "gorilla" arm swing during the movement. There are times when a pitcher isn't swinging his arm that it can be difficult to see him come set from a baserunning perspective, depending on his personnal style. This is where the rule comes into play, as well as where a pitcher can obtain an advantage over the baserunner, by not being able to determine when he comes set.


I have seen pitchers using the wind-up that shake their arm and or hand, I don't really consider that a gorilla arm again..YMMV

[Kevin Finnerty]

Rodney did it while he read the signs. He didn't do it once he came to a set.