Balk?

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Any clearer?

No.

This is, though:

8.01 LEGAL PITCHING DELIVERY

There are two legal pitching positions, the Windup Position and the Set Position, and either position may be used at any time.

Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while standing on the rubber.

Official Notes - Case Book - Comments: Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs but may not step quickly onto the rubber and pitch. This may be judged a quick pitch by the umpire. When the pitcher disengages the rubber, he must drop his hands to his sides.

Pitchers will not be allowed to disengage the rubber after taking each sign.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Tempers flaring up

Umpires can't agree on sh*t

Jenkins has last word.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Tempers flaring up

Umpires can't agree on sh*t

Jenkins has last word.

That's a good haiku.

I rarely have the last word.

This thread not yet closed.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

That's a good haiku.

I rarely have the last word.

This thread not yet closed.

Yoda or Jar Jar Binks?

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by David B

Mark, that is not the intent of the rule. He does not HAVE to take signs at all. Remember Jim Katt, he made a living with the "almost quick pitch".
I think that's what you are saying, but it was not very clear to me.

The majority of small ball players don't take signs either. They just get on the mound and pitch.

As long as they are not in the umpires judgement making a quick pitch all is well. If F1 in the umpires judgement delivers a quick pitch, then the umpire has to take further action.

PU has the responsibility to protect the batter in this situation.
But if the batter is ready, F1 toes the rubber (with a little bit of a pause) and then pitches, he has violated no rules.

Thanks
David

Dave:

I hate to disappoint you, but the requirement for the pitcher to take or simulate taking a signal from the catcher after he has engaged the pitching plate IS to prevent a quick pitch; it prevents a pitcher from engaging the pitching plate and immediately going into his pitching motion.

As far as very young players not taking a signal, I agree that until players get to be 12 or 13 years of age, they only have one pitch, but that still does not mean that they do not at least simulate taking a pitch. A MLB pitcher who is a knuckleballer has only one pitch, but he still has to at least simulate taking a sign from his catcher after engaging the pitching plate before starting his pitching motion.

MTD, Sr.