Dave Sirbu's pitching questions separated (2)

[Carl Childress]

Here's the second question Dave asked:

Also, when a pitcher is dangling his pitching arm in front of his body while in the set position, is this a violation? I see this all the time in the pros and there seems to be no call. Am I overlooking something or is this just one of those rules we ignore until the opposition complains?
Furthermore, I see many H.S. umps ignoring this violation (myself included).

ANSWER:

Try this out on a pitcher's plate near you.

Stand upright with your feet in the set position, pivot foot against the rubber, non-pivot foot about one foot feet in front of the plate. Allow your pitching hand to dangle freely at your side.

Now, take one step toward the plate with your non-pivot foot and lean down to peer in at your imaginary catcher. Don't restrict what happens to your pitching arm.

Lo and behold, it naturally dangles forward, away from your body.

The point: It's still at your side, relative to the position of your torso. When your straighten up and bring your hands together, you will have completed the motion.

Now, if you see a pitcher lean forward and his pitching hand is cocked upward, elbow bent, he's trying to hide it behind his leg. That's not a naturally occurring position, and it must be considered an attempt to deceive the runner.

Remember, thought "That ain't a balk." You simply inform him: "Strighten up there, Bubba. No hanky panky allowed in my game."

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Papa C
Editor, eUmpire