Balk?
 

I know the answer to this, but just to be sure:

R2. RH F1 has come set. In one motion, F1 steps back with the pivot foot (toward second) and throws the ball to F6 for a pick-off. This is the same "goofy footed" throw that we all made when we were 2 or 3 or 4 and just learning to throw.

Balk?

As long as he disengages the pitcher's plate, which it appears that he does from your description, then no balk. Same as a LHP disengaging and throwing to 1B without stepping toward the base.

Technically a balk. If he separates his hands before disengaging, it's a balk. When you say "in one motion," I take your meaning to be that he has done just that.

Shields of the TB Rays got balked not long ago for a flawed jump-turn because he separated his hands before beginning the jump-turn. Not quite the same mistake, since your case involves improperly disengaging and his was improperly stepping-and-throwing.

The only legitimate argument for not balking this move is that at most levels of amateur ball we're not too picky about the timing of a quick step off and separating the hands.

Balk. The pitcher had not disengaged with the pitcher's plate before he separated his hands therefore he is required to make distance and direction with his non-pivot foot. From the explanation, it appears to me that his non-pivot foot did not make distance and direction.

-Josh

Ahem
 

Not quite right.

When he separates he then balks for failing to deliver the pitch to the plate. It is also an illegal disengagement. The only thing it isn't is distance and direction.

Small difference.

T

Right: when the hands separating is the first motion, the pitcher must pitch to the batter.

If he's going to do one of the two other legal things, namely step and throw to a base or disengage, he must do those before separating his hands.

Ok, I give up. Where has Bob stated that he separated his hands.

Granted if he did, Balk. But !!!!!!!??

It would be difficult to throw without separating your hands, wouldn't it?

-Josh

As long as the pitcher is seperating his hands while stepping off, all one motion, there is no balk. If there are two distinct actions, first the seperation of hands, then the step, balk.

Ya Think?

Maybe he underhanded it with both hands or let it roll out of his hands and as it reached his foot, kicked it to F6, all "in one motion."

I will restate my original reply for the mentally challanged here.

"Ok, I give up. Where has Bob stated when he separated his hands"

"the same "goofy footed" throw that we all made when we were 2 or 3 or 4 and just learning to throw."

So, if we reviewed the super-slo-mo video, we'd see:

1) right foot comes up, hands separate, right hand comes up
2) body twists clockwise
3) right foot and hand move toward second base
4) right foot steps toward second as ball is released from right hand

I'd say it's likely that this is what happened in Bob's OP or he would've balked it pretty quickly.

I have a balk. The pivot foot must land first before the hands come apart. FED specifies this exactly. OBR just says step. It's hard to judge this with LHP step off and throw to 1B or a RHP step off and throw to 3B and they get away with pushing it. But this move to 2B I would balk because the foot didn't land before the hands came apart. The step is actually part of the throwing motion.

Yes, but how many times have you called it or seen it called. It all happens in such a split second.

I've seen it called and I've called it. Everyone has their own perception and interpretation of what is acceptable in these situations. You can philosophical have arguments about this situation all day but you have to realize that what is specified by rule is not necessarily what is acceptably called in your game.

-Josh

If its that close as Bob describes it, I'm not calling a balk. Certainly its a "technical" balk, but as Carl used to say, "don't go looking for boogers."

No coach is going to ever complain because they've been seeing guys do it for years.

Its going to seem as one motion and that's fine with me. Same on the move to third base with pitcher from the windup. If its so close, no balk. Now if its obvious that he separated way before the step, probably a balk.

thanks
David

Slow down the video of any MLB pitcher (LHP) stepping at and throwing to first. When the foot lands gaining direction and distance, not only are the hands separated, the throwing arm is beginning its move foward.

Are you talking about a LHP stepping with his non-pivot foot towards first and throwing?

-Josh

"Never mind" - Emily Litella

Need to slow down when I read some of this stuff.

Really? I've only seen it a handful of time, 3 by the same pitcher.

Note that I'm talking about stepping with the PIVOT foot and throwing all in one motion. Since the direction of the step is the same as the direction for a disengagement, how do we decide which it is? And, how do we reconcile this with a LH pither disengaging and throwing to first all in one motion?

For me, while the technical rule is based on when the hands separate, I give more leeway. If the throwing hand is coming forward before the foot lands, I balk it.

BTW, I balked the guy again last night.

We now have Balkin Bob Davidson / Jenkins

Pete Booth

Davidson got another one last night and then called all four umpires together to make sure the pitcher balked before disengaging. I think they all held hands and sang Kumbaya, too.