2010 Fed Baseball

[umpjim]

They announced the change on a few websites earlier last year and made it official with this new caseplay:

*6.1.3. Situation P: With a runner on first,Team A right-handed pitcher is in the set position, bent at the waist and his pitching arm naturally hands down slightly in front or to the side away from his body.........a),........arm is stationary or b),..........arm rocks.........a)arm is natural and can be considered by his side.......b)any movement.........balk.

I'm not typing the whole thing. It's poorly worded regarding "starting the pitch" but I believe they want it legal now if no movement.

[johnnyg08]

great...so it actually says that the gorilla arm is a ball if he swings at it? I better see those slides...that is absurd.

[Tim C]

The notes that were distributed after the summer committee meetings said that: "there will be an editoral change to the rule but the intent is to remain."

Nothing was noted in the PR release earlier this off season.

[JJ]

The Case book play says "the pitcher is bent at the waist and his pitching arm naturally hangs down slightly in front or to the side away from his body. As he looks to the catcher for a signal, a) the pitcher's arm is stationary, or b) the arm rocks slightly from side to side. RULING: in a) the position of the arm is natural and can be considered by his side in meeting the rule. Any movement would then start the pitch. In b) any movement of the arm is considered the start of the pitching motion and a pitch must be delivered to the plate so this motion results in a balk."

SO, he can hang the arm down there, but he cannot move it.

The Rules book has no new wording, so the Case book interp is the only thing that is new.

JJ

PS I have a copy of the 2010 Rules book and Case book, and this play is on page 51 of the Case book.

[Forest Ump]

We discussed the gorilla arm last night at our meeting. Just as discussed here, balk if he moves it.

So I can see it now. "Time. That's a balk. He simulated a gorilla movement. Runner, 2nd base."

Hey not bad, five words or less.

[johnnyg08]

At least they made it less of a "don't do that"...if the interp actually says "balk" that is great.

[jkumpire]

Umpires: USE COMMON SENSE.

If the are slight moves as he looks in for a sign, it isn't a balk. If he swings it back and forth in an obvious manner, Balk him. Do it once, problem solved.

Fed tries to make it easy and consistent to umpire their rules, but sometimes they make it nonsensical because people think they have to apply rules exactly as they are written.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Forest Ump

So I can see it now. "Time. That's a balk. He simulated a gorilla movement. Runner, 2nd base."

Hey not bad, five words or less.

I believe the phrase you're seeking is, according to the case play, "started and stopped."

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Forest Ump

We discussed the gorilla arm last night at our meeting. Just as discussed here, balk if he moves it.

So I can see it now. "Time. That's a balk. He simulated a gorilla movement. Runner, 2nd base."

Hey not bad, five words or less.

I don't think I would use the phrase, "gorilla movement," as some tight-a$$ politically correct coach or parent will accuse you of calling the pitcher a great ape.

[cookie]

Thanks UmpJim for refreshing my memory.

I'm on the website now, and though not specifically stated as the "gorilla arm", moreso described as the hanging arm, it is mentioned in the 2010 Case Book (6.1.3P), not as I had "misremembered" it as the Rule book. The CB play is asterisked, indicating it has been entered as new this year.

Here it is:

*6.1.3 Situation P: With a runner on first, Team A right-handed pitcher is in the set position, bent at the waist and his pitching arm naturally hangs down slightly in front or to the side away from his body. As he looks to the catcher for a signal, a) the pitcher's arm is stationary or b) the pitching arm rocks slightly from side to side. RULING: In a), the position of the arm is natural and can be considered by his side in meeting the rule. Any movement would then start the pitch. In b), any movement of the arm is considered the start of the pitching motion and a pitch must be delivered to the plate so this motion results in a balk.

Also, Lapopez, you mentioned that you "downloaded" the 2010 Rule Book. How do you do that? I can't even "copy and paste" an excerpt from either the rule book or the case book! Instead, I have to write it out by hand. Let me know the trick...

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by cookie

Thanks UmpJim for refreshing my memory.

I'm on the website now, and though not specifically stated as the "gorilla arm", moreso described as the hanging arm, it is mentioned in the 2010 Case Book (6.1.3P), not as I had "misremembered" it as the Rule book. The CB play is asterisked, indicating it has been entered as new this year.

Here it is:

*6.1.3 Situation P: With a runner on first, Team A right-handed pitcher is in the set position, bent at the waist and his pitching arm naturally hangs down slightly in front or to the side away from his body. As he looks to the catcher for a signal, a) the pitcher's arm is stationary or b) the pitching arm rocks slightly from side to side. RULING: In a), the position of the arm is natural and can be considered by his side in meeting the rule. Any movement would then start the pitch. In b), any movement of the arm is considered the start of the pitching motion and a pitch must be delivered to the plate so this motion results in a balk.

Stupid, and it's not even correct. B (the arm rocking slightly from side to side) doesn't commit him to pitch, it just commits him to complete his stretch. He can still step off or throw to a base. At least it makes it easier for me to not call stupid balks for violating a stupid rule.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Stupid, and it's not even correct. B (the arm rocking slightly from side to side) doesn't commit him to pitch, it just commits him to complete his stretch. He can still step off or throw to a base. At least it makes it easier for me to not call stupid balks for violating a stupid rule.

Dash, you seem emotionally constipated. Tell us how you really feel.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by cookie

Also, Lapopez, you mentioned that you "downloaded" the 2010 Rule Book. How do you do that?

Log into the NFHS website, click on "Publications Library" in the right-hand menu, and navigate to Baseball at the bottom of the screen.

[DG]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Log into the NFHS website, click on "Publications Library" in the right-hand menu, and navigate to Baseball at the bottom of the screen.

And pay $30 for membership??

[jkumpire]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Your interpretation is NOT what was said at the summer meetings. F1's arm must STILL be at his side or behind his back.

NOTHING has chaged concerning the "gorilla arm".

Regards,

Please see the following: Umpire's Resource Center - 2010 High School Baseball Rule Changes by Kyle McNeely

I quote:

"2. SITUATION: The pitcher, in the set position, takes his stance with the ball in his pitching hand and his pitching arm hanging straight down. RULING: This is legal. If the pitcher were to swing his pitching arm, while in this position, it would be illegal and a balk if runner(s) are on base."

Also see case book play 6.1.3.Situation P, 2010 casebook p. 51.

This is a change as I understood the 2009 rules my good friend.