Gorilla Arm

[DG]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

In FED, F1 can hang his arm but if it swings, it's a balk (doesn't matter if the ball is in the hand or the glove.

In OBR it's nothing.

No, FED still hasn't come to its senses yet!

And, it is not a rule in FED, but an Interpretation, from 2005, that has not made it into the casebook. I have never seen it called.

[cookie]

Originally Posted by DG

And, it is not a rule in FED, but an Interpretation, from 2005, that has not made it into the casebook. I have never seen it called.

It's in the 2012 Fed Casebook (and 2011): 6.3.1 (P)

6.1.3 SITUATION P: With a runner on first, Team A right-handed pitcher is in
the set position, bent at the waist and his pitching arm naturally hangs down
slightly in front or to the side away from his body. As he looks to the catcher for a signal, a) the pitcher’s arm is stationary or b) the pitching arm rocks slightly from side to side. RULING: In a), the position of the arm is natural and can be considered by his side in meeting the rule. Any movement would then start the pitch. In b), any movement of the arm is considered the start of the pitching motion and a pitch must be delivered to the plate so this motion results in a balk.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by cookie

It's in the 2012 Fed Casebook (and 2011): 6.3.1 (P)

6.1.3 SITUATION P: With a runner on first, Team A right-handed pitcher is in
the set position, bent at the waist and his pitching arm naturally hangs down
slightly in front or to the side away from his body. As he looks to the catcher for a signal, a) the pitcher’s arm is stationary or b) the pitching arm rocks slightly from side to side. RULING: In a), the position of the arm is natural and can be considered by his side in meeting the rule. Any movement would then start the pitch. In b), any movement of the arm is considered the start of the pitching motion and a pitch must be delivered to the plate so this motion results in a balk.

The explanation in RULING (b) is absolutely insane. F1 hasn't even come set yet. How can movement of his pitching arm be considered the start of his pitching motion?

In addition, well-coached base runners are watching his feet, not his free arm.

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by CT1

The explanation in RULING (b) is absolutely insane. F1 hasn't even come set yet. How can movement of his pitching arm be considered the start of his pitching motion?

In addition, well-coached base runners are watching his feet, not his free arm.

A MLB pitcher was balked for this once. He was deemed to have starting to go to his set position

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by DG

And, it is not a rule in FED, but an Interpretation, from 2005, that has not made it into the casebook. I have never seen it called.

Sorry, but you're wrong, DG. Cookie posted the case book cite and the gorilla arm is called here in New Haven County, CT all the time. It's one of the most ridiculous rules so to get rid of it, we call it.

[DG]

Cookie makes a good cite from case book, but it is still not listed as a rule, and "gorilla arm" was mentioned in a 2005 interpretation, term not seen in a rule or case book since.

[cookie]

The 2010 NFHS Baseball Rules Changes (B Elliot Hopkins, CAA) has 3 pages (18, 19, 20) clarifying the SET position with regard to the Gorilla Arm, and the word "Gorilla" is specifically mentioned on page 20:

"Rule 6-1-3
Set Position

• Umpires must be aware of the position of the
pitcher’s feet. There position determines if
the pitcher is in either the wind-up or set
position.
• The “Gorilla” stance is a legal stance of the
set position as long as the pitcher’s arm does
not swing. If his arm is swinging, this is
considered as a means to deceive the batter
and runner(s).

Rationale: Clarification."

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by cookie

The 2010 NFHS Baseball Rules Changes (B Elliot Hopkins, CAA) has 3 pages (18, 19, 20) clarifying the SET position with regard to the Gorilla Arm, and the word "Gorilla" is specifically mentioned on page 20:

"Rule 6-1-3
Set Position

• Umpires must be aware of the position of the
pitcher’s feet. There position determines if
the pitcher is in either the wind-up or set
position.
• The “Gorilla” stance is a legal stance of the
set position as long as the pitcher’s arm does
not swing. If his arm is swinging, this is
considered as a means to deceive the batter
and runner(s).

Rationale: Clarification."

I have never seen a batter or runner deceived by this in FED venues where it might not be strictly called. I have never seen a batter deceived by this in OBR where it is allowed. Someone might have an axe to grind in this case. If you look at the proposed FED rule changes that were voted on this year you might get a nuance of FED rule making?
BTW, I have seen gorilla arms but have never seen one swing. If you are in an area where they want it called then go ahead and call it. It's not a hard adjustment for the pitcher to not do it.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by cookie

If his arm is swinging, this is considered as a means to deceive the batter and runner(s).

From the NFHS Baseball Case Book:

"6.1.1 SITUATION J: With R1 on first base, F1, from the set position and prior to bringing his hands together while in contact with the pitcher's plate, (a) abruptly and quickly turns his shoulders toward first base in an attempt to drive back the runner; or (b) casually turns his shoulders to observe the runner at first base. RULING: Legal in both (a) and (b)."

Somebody please 'splain to me how the swinging gorilla arm is deceiving, and (a) is perfectly acceptable.

C'MON MAN!!