Pitching clarification

[Ump29]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I recently called a balk on an illegal jab-type step. The sequence was:

1. Pivot foot comes off rubber and plants on 3B side of rubber.
2. Throw to 1B.
3. Free foot steps toward 1B.

I explained to F1 (he was an adult) that the step to 1B must precede the throw to 1B. Naturally he disagreed. Fortunately, he didn't do the move again, and R2, who was formerly R1, never became R3.

I would balk him for the first step as it was forward of the plate .

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Ump29

I would balk him for the first step as it was forward of the plate .

As part of a legal jab step he's good.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by Ump29

I would balk him for the first step as it was forward of the plate .

Ump29,

That would be an incorrect balk call.

JM

[Ump29]

When I read the description of the Set Position in OBR , I read that the pitcher can only disengage by stepping back off the rubber . Therefore by stepping forward or to the side would be illegal and therefore a balk.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Ump29

When I read the description of the Set Position in OBR , I read that the pitcher can only disengage by stepping back off the rubber . Therefore by stepping forward or to the side would be illegal and therefore a balk.

The jab step and jump step are both legal moves at all levels. These are part of a pickoff move, and so not subject to the restrictions on disengaging.

[DG]

Originally Posted by mbyron

The jab step and jump step are both legal moves at all levels. These are part of a pickoff move, and so not subject to the restrictions on disengaging.

I have yet to see the jab step described in FED or NCAA rules or casebooks, but I can find a reference to it in J/R. If you have FED or NCAA reference I would love to know where. I am not disagreeing that it's legal, just can't find proof.

[UmpJM]

Ump29,

If the pitcher were attempting to disengage, it would indeed be an illegal disengage and a balk with runners on base.

However, he was not attempting to disengage. He was initiating a pick-off move to 1B and he violated none of the balk proscriptions in doing so.

From the MLBUM:

(i) It is legal for a right-handed pitcher to begin a pick-off move to first base by first moving his (pivot) foot in the direction of third base provided that he makes a legal step toward first base with the non-pivot foot before throwing there and provided that the move is continuous and without interruption. A pitcher who makes such a pick-off move is considered to be in contact with the rubber when he makes his throw to first base.

This interpretation is accepted at ALL levels.

JM

[aschramm]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Ump29,

If the pitcher were attempting to disengage, it would indeed be an illegal disengage and a balk with runners on base.

However, he was not attempting to disengage. He was initiating a pick-off move to 1B and he violated none of the balk proscriptions in doing so.

From the MLBUM:



This interpretation is accepted at ALL levels.

JM

Thank you all for your input. The "jab step" is really what the pitcher has been doing, with a clear description of it quoted above. And as I was reading through the NFHS rules last night (I don't have them infront of me now to reference), it stated that a pitcher could make a step with their pivot foot toward third, and then legally step with their free/non-pivot foot toward first and throw. So I guess I have found my correct answer.