Which rules do you enforce

[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.