Balks

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by charliej47

The coach states yes but he came off the rubber when he did the "jump turn". I state "Coach your pitcher started his motion while in contact with the rubber and pitching restrictions apply".

I was with you right up till here. You're right to call the balk, but wrong about the reason.

The correct reason is that a jump turn is not a legal disengagement or "step off." To be legal disengagement, the pivot foot is the only thing that can move.

[charliej47]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I was with you right up till here. You're right to call the balk, but wrong about the reason.

The correct reason is that a jump turn is not a legal disengagement or "step off." To be legal disengagement, the free foot is the only thing that can move.

I ruled as such because when he started his "jump turn" he was in contact with the rubber and the turn is an extension of hie contact.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by charliej47

I ruled as such because when he started his "jump turn" he was in contact with the rubber and the turn is an extension of hie contact.

There's nothing in the rules about "extension of the contact." Rather than make up a rule about being in contact when he's obviously not, you're on more solid ground to explain it in terms of NOT being a legal disengagement.

Since it's not a legal disengagement, it's still governed by the rules concerning stepping and throwing to 1B, even though the pivot foot loses contact with the rubber.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I was with you right up till here. You're right to call the balk, but wrong about the reason.

The correct reason is that a jump turn is not a legal disengagement or "step off." To be legal disengagement, the free foot is the only thing that can move.

Isn't that pretty much the same thing?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by mbyron

To be legal disengagement, the free foot is the only thing that can move.

The free foot? On a disengagement?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

The free foot? On a disengagement?

Whoops. Pivot, of course. I'll fix it.