Balk?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by GA Umpire

I have a question. Since I do not do Fed ball, what does the rule say which covers the part about "he must take or simulate to take signs from the catcher"?

As long as the pitcher doesn't quick pitch, then he should be OK to not simulate taking signs. For instance, LHP stands astride rubber looking at 1B. Batter steps in with plenty of time to get ready. F1 checks batter and F2 to make sure they are in place. He steps on the rubber while looking at 1B still and comes set still looking. Then, pitches the ball. Since he never looked at F2 for a sign, a balk is called on him for this?

So in Fed, it is a balk while in OBR(and possibly NCAA) it is legal? Interesting and another good reason why I don't like Fed rules.

I posted the sentence from 6-1-1 that you're asking about above, post #14. OBR has the same provision: the second sentence of 8.01 is, "Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while in contact with the pitcher’s plate." And this is NOT a balk in any rule code: it's a "don't do that." Geez, how many errors can you pack into one little post?

No rule code AFAIK uses the word 'simulate' in this context. I think JM first added that word in this thread.

Your sitch is not a balk. The rule does not require F1 to take signs; it specifies that he's to be on the rubber if he does so.

Frankly, I'm not sure why this thread became so warm, since I suspect that all of the good umpires arguing here enforce this provision exactly the same.