Feinting to First

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

He can faint (assuming he keeps his feet on the rubber).

Now that would be a neat trick.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Now that would be a neat trick.

Dash, if it happened, would you balk him for starting and stopping? I guess if the ball fell out of his glove and didn't cross the foul line, that would work, too.

[Forest Ump]

I'm not letting him play the rest of the game if he does that. Doctors note or not.

[Coach Dykhoff]

Originally Posted by yawetag

Dash, if it happened, would you balk him for starting and stopping? I guess if the ball fell out of his glove and didn't cross the foul line, that would work, too.

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MLB RULEBOOK

8.05 If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when—

(k) The pitcher, while touching his plate, accidentally or intentionally drops the ball;

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You can not drop the ball while you are on the mound. The foul line has nothing to do with this rule.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Coach Dykhoff

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MLB RULEBOOK

8.05 If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when—

(k) The pitcher, while touching his plate, accidentally or intentionally drops the ball;

=====

You can not drop the ball while you are on the mound. The foul line has nothing to do with this rule.

Yes it does - if you read the interpretations you will find that if it crosses the foul line it's ruled a ball, not a balk.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Yes it does - if you read the interpretations you will find that if it crosses the foul line it's ruled a ball, not a balk.

That interpretation is specifically cited when the ball is dropped during a pitch, not a throw to first. And, if I recall, since I don't have my book with me, JEA makes a distinction between the two.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

That interpretation is specifically cited when the ball is dropped during a pitch, not a throw to first. And, if I recall, since I don't have my book with me, JEA makes a distinction between the two.

Actually the MLBUM says if a pitched ball slips .. .

So Andy Pettitte starts his delivery from set and drops the ball. Given his "move" how do you distinguish whether it was a pitch or not?

Or a pitcher does a "swing back" toward 2B, from which he can either pitch or go to 2B, and drops the ball - how do you distinguish?

Ball hits the ground and rolls obver the line - ball.

That;s my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Coach Dykhoff]

If he drops the ball while he is on the rubber it is a balk.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Actually the MLBUM says if a pitched ball slips .. .

So Andy Pettitte starts his delivery from set and drops the ball. Given his "move" how do you distinguish whether it was a pitch or not?

Or a pitcher does a "swing back" toward 2B, from which he can either pitch or go to 2B, and drops the ball - how do you distinguish?

Ball hits the ground and rolls obver the line - ball.

That;s my story and I'm sticking to it.

That's okay. I understand you and many others feel that way. I'm just saying that the interps you referred to do not back you up. They specifically mention a "pitched" ball, not a ball dropped when the pitcher is not in the process of delivering a pitch.