Balk Or No Balk

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by ss17

Can someone please clarify for me...

Pitchers can either step off and throw, or they can "jump turn." As a coach, I'm not familiar with all of the umpire lingo, but I am trying to figure out. When you guys say disengage, I am assuming you are talking about the step off move.

When you guys are saying that he must step toward the base, does that mean both feet must go to the base?? I only say this because it is sounding that the pitcher can pivot off his backfoot, still be engaged with the rubber, and still legally make a play on the runner. I know that is not the case, so can someone please clarify??

Thanks

Yes, the pitcher can be engaged with the rubber and step to the base and throw (first base) or throw and/or feint (second or third base). He does NOT have to step off the rubber to do this. If he throws the ball out of play while in contact with the rubber, the runners advance one base. If he steps backward off the rubber first (the only legal way to step off), then throws it out of play, it's a two-base award. The pitcher is only required to step toward the base with his non-pivot foot (the one not on the rubber).

Does this help?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by ss17

I know that is not the case, so can someone please clarify??

It's not what we don't know that gets us in trouble, it's what we know for cetain that just isn't so.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by ss17

Can someone please clarify for me...

Pitchers can either step off and throw, or they can "jump turn." As a coach, I'm not familiar with all of the umpire lingo, but I am trying to figure out. When you guys say disengage, I am assuming you are talking about the step off move.

When you guys are saying that he must step toward the base, does that mean both feet must go to the base?? I only say this because it is sounding that the pitcher can pivot off his backfoot, still be engaged with the rubber, and still legally make a play on the runner. I know that is not the case, so can someone please clarify??

Thanks

Coach, there are many legal moves to 1B for a RHP, so it's not realistic to catalog them all here.

You need to understand that a pitcher who has engaged the rubber may do one of three things:

1. Pitch to the batter
2. Step and throw to a base
3. Legally disengage (step off)

#2 requires a step BEFORE the throw. A "step" is defined as the free foot (front foot) gaining distance and direction toward the base to which he's throwing.

That rules out, for example, a LHP picking up his free foot and setting it down in the same spot while flipping the ball over to 1B. It also rules out a RHP stepping toward the plate while turning his shoulders and throwing to 1B.

The "jump turn" and "jab step" are moves that RHPs use, and by interpretation they are legal at all levels. A RHP jumps, turns his whole body including his feet, so that his free foot gains distance and direction toward 1B. Then he throws (the throw may happen at roughly the same time).

Once you understand the basic principles, judging a legal move is much easier.

[JPaco54]

With all this info got me thinking then...
1. Is there a difference in the terms stretch vs. set?
2. Preliminary movements? Is there a definition for this?

Example: If the pitcher is in the stretch...as I understand stretch,(foot on the rubber, hands apart, taking signals) and his motion begins,bringing his free foot back as he brings his hands together.... but before he becomes SET,(bringing hands together and pauses) he steps towards first and throws. Legal?

[UmpJM]

JPaco54,

1. Yes there is a difference, if we're talking the lexicon of the rules of baseball. Set is one of the two legal pitching positions defined in the rules (the other being windup), while the stretch is a "preliminary movement" which is explicitly legal for the pitcher to do before bringing his hands together and coming to a complete stop when pitching from the set position.

Colloquially, the two terms are often used interchangeably by people who have not actually read a rule book or when the discussion is not a technical "rules" discussion.

2. No, there is no definition of "preliminary movements" in the rule book, other than that they are something the pitcher does after engaging the rubber in the set position and prior to bringing his hands together. The stretch is specifically mentioned as an example of a legal "preliminary movement".

It is perfectly legal for a pitcher who has assumed the set position to make a (legal) pick-off throw to a base. He need not bring his hands together and stop before doing so. As a matter of fact, it is perfectly legal for him, in an attempt to deceive the runner, to begin his motion to come set and then change to a pick-off as long as he does so in a continuous motion without interruption and steps legally to the base.

That always struck me as slightly odd in the context of the "...without alteration or interruption..." language. Nonetheless, it is so.

Finally, don't think, it can only hurt the team.

JM

[JPaco54]

UmpJM - thanks for taking the time to explain my questions. Very helpful. Almost like you read my mind. I am trying to take the advise of many as to not "over think" the rules.