Natural movement? 8.01a
 

Rule 8.01a states:

From this position any natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interruption or alteration.

What determines "natural" movement versus "unnatural" movement?

I've heard umpires say "if he does it every time" he's legal.

What are your thoughts?

Thank you.

johnny,

The umpire does.

Don't pay any attention to them; they don't know what they're talking about.

My thought is that a lot of people seem to misinterpret "natural" to mean "usual". I don't believe that is what it means at all.

I think it means the pitcher moves in a way that you "naturally" believe he is beginning his delivery.

You're welcome.

JM

"I've heard umpires say "if he does it every time" he's legal"

So if a pitcher were to pump one time once, and the second time twice would that be a balk. Not according to the rules.

I am not sure what "natural movement" really means either but, once the pitcher begins to deliver the ball, (TOP) to the batter, he has to complete the pitch.

Maybe one of our historians, MB or Jenkins no more about the meaning.

Rule 8.01(a) is in reference to the Windup position. The only legal movement to avoid having to pitch the ball is for the pitcher to step backward off the rubber with his pivot foot. Any other movement is considered to be associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter. This is why runners take off for the next base when they see the pitcher move anything but his pivot foot. Sometimes pitchers try to get away with pumping their arms then stepping back a split second later, which is a balk.

Steve,

That is not quite right.

Under OBR rules, the pitcher may also make a pick-off throw from the windup - as long as it is preceded by a "direct step".

JM

You are indeed right. I forgot about that one! But everything else, dammit!:D

I think it means "excluding such acts as adjusting the hat, wiping sweat, shooing away bugs, shaking off a sign, wiping up or down to adjust the sign, joining the hands to adjust the ball, etc."

+1