Would This Be a Balk?

[Manny A]

Saw an interesting move by a pitcher in tonight's Reds/Braves game. Reds reliever Scott Sullivan, a RHP, was at the set position with R1. Sullivan would then look at R1 over his right shoulder instead of his left before pitching.

Now, if a pitcher turns a little while looking over his back shoulder like that, would it be considered a balk? I always thought that the reason we balk a pitcher for turning his front shoulder towards first is because this is considered a feint to first without throwing, a violation of OBR 8.05(b). But turning his back shoulder toward first isn't a natural move to throw to first, so this wouldn't be a feint, would it?

Or am I wrong in my understanding of the shoulder turn and why it is considered a balk?

[Jim Porter]

Hi Manny, glad to see you here at umpireforum. How have you been?

This is one of my pet peeves, this shoulder-turn business. Here in my area, it seems all the umpires know is that a turn of the shoulders is a balk. That's all they seem to know. So they wait, and when they see the tiniest bit of movement, they're right there to call that balk.

Your assessment of why the shoulder-turn is a balk is correct. It can constitute a feint or fake to first.

But the turn must be significant. Simply an incidental turn of the shoulder as the pitcher looks over at first base is not a balk. Sadly, that's what the guys in my area call a balk - this little incidental shoulder-turn.

If the pitcher turns a considerable amount, and then turns back, he has balked.

If the pitcher turns rapidly or uses jerky movements, he has balked.

But if his shoulders turn just a little bit, then that ain't a balk. There is no requirement that the pitcher remain absolutely still.

Sincerely,
Jim Porter

P.S. It doesn't matter which way the pitcher turns to look. A feint or a fake is a feint or a fake.

[Carl Childress]

quote:

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Originally posted by Manny A:
Saw an interesting move by a pitcher in tonight's Reds/Braves game. Reds reliever Scott Sullivan, a RHP, was at the set position with R1. Sullivan would then look at R1 over his right shoulder instead of his left before pitching.

Now, if a pitcher turns a little while looking over his back shoulder like that, would it be considered a balk? I always thought that the reason we balk a pitcher for turning his front shoulder towards first is because this is considered a feint to first without throwing, a violation of OBR 8.05(b). But turning his back shoulder toward first isn't a natural move to throw to first, so this wouldn't be a feint, would it?

Or am I wrong in my understanding of the shoulder turn and why it is considered a balk?

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Manny:

Jim has, as usual, gone to the heart of the matter. It is not a balk if the pitcher turns his shoulders (except in FED) to check a runner. Nolan Ryan did it every time, and he walked a lot of runners to first base.

It is always a balk if the pitcher feints a throw to first.

For years some brain-damaged, right-handed pitchers have been checking on runners at first by looking over their right sholders.

Don't call a balk. Instead, buy stock in Ben-Gay or Sportscreme.

Welcome to eUmpire forum.

BTW: Check out our home page at www.eumpire.com. You should consider becoming a member. For the next year or more, Jim Porter will be covering a series of issues of interest and importance to Youth ball umpires, particularly Little League. We don't know of any other site or national magazine that devotes a staff member full-time to those issues.

Email Jim. He can use your help and advice. After all, you guys know a lot of the same people at ERLL.

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Papa C
Editor, eUmpire

[Stan W]

I watched this game as well and had the same thoughts,........also in this game I saw a first for me...The umpire called a ball on Sullivan for going to the mouth while on the mound. Sullivan had his back to home plate and was going for the rosin bag, and touched his lips with his fingers..........I dont think the home plate umpire saw this and the TBS crew didnt say who caught the infraction..but the Plate turned to the official scorer and call the ball.....first time Ive seen this in MLB.