Help the basketball ref with the balk rule

[jicecone]

Manny, I think the key here is failing to pitch to the batter with one "continuous" motion. The "hanging leg" can certainly be the culprit to call a Balk. If "as described" it sounds like a candidate for a balk. A good lefty will always give you fits.

[Rich Ives]

If other body parts keep moving then the motion has not been interrupted. Just hanging the leg in and of itself isn't enough to make the balk call.

[Robert E. Harrison]

Would you allow F1 to hang his leg and rotate his hands (with his hands together) in a circle several times before committing to pitch or throw to first?

[thumpferee]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

If other body parts keep moving then the motion has not been interrupted. Just hanging the leg in and of itself isn't enough to make the balk call.

Sorry Rich, but I have to disagree! The legs are part of the throwing motion. By stopping/pausing creates a great advantage IMO.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by thumpferee

Sorry Rich, but I have to disagree! The legs are part of the throwing motion. By stopping/pausing creates a great advantage IMO.

So are the arms and torso. Can I stop them but continue with the leg.

Know what a balance point is for a pitcher?

A2D I guess.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by thumpferee

Sorry Rich, but I have to disagree! The legs are part of the throwing motion. By stopping/pausing creates a great advantage IMO.

Are you implying that every body part must be continually in motion during a pitch?

[thumpferee]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Are you implying that every body part must be continually in motion during a pitch?

I'm saying, if the pitcher stands there and stops his motion and is there balancing on one leg, I'm balking him.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by thumpferee

I'm saying, if the pitcher stands there and stops his motion and is there balancing on one leg, I'm balking him.

Yeah ... me too. Everyone else here as well, I believe.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

If other body parts keep moving then the motion has not been interrupted. Just hanging the leg in and of itself isn't enough to make the balk call.

But I wouldn't allow a pitcher to hang his leg for 10 seconds while looking at the runner and moving his joined hands up and down and round and round either. The movement is supposed to be a "natural pitching motion", and there's nothing natural about that.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by jicecone

Manny, I think the key here is failing to pitch to the batter with one "continuous" motion. The "hanging leg" can certainly be the culprit to call a Balk. If "as described" it sounds like a candidate for a balk. A good lefty will always give you fits.

If as described" it sounds like a candidate for a balk.

[ozzy6900]

If the LHP comes to a complete halt with that leg in the air - nothing moving - that's a balk. You can call it a double set or start & stop, but it's a balk. Now, if the LHP is real good, he'll be leaning forward and/or "curling up". Then, he better go to the plate.

[KCOfficial]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the insight. Much more thoughtful than listening to a coach tell me emphatically that it is a rule that a pitcher can hang his leg for 3 seconds, I should know better than to talk to a coach about rules.

Thanks again guys.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by KCOfficial

Much more thoughtful than listening to a coach tell me emphatically that it is a rule that a pitcher can hang his leg for 3 seconds...

Where do these yayhoos come up with this crap anyway? Three seconds? It says that in a rule book somewhere? Really, coach??

Unfreakingbelievable.

[David B]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

If the LHP comes to a complete halt with that leg in the air - nothing moving - that's a balk. You can call it a double set or start & stop, but it's a balk. Now, if the LHP is real good, he'll be leaning forward and/or "curling up". Then, he better go to the plate.

I agree totally. Most of the time the pitcher uses the "hanging leg" to freeze the runner and continues to the plate.

But in the play, he went to the base - that would be a balk in my games.

Thanks
David

[Kw parent]

I was wondering if I could get feedback on a different scenario.

My son is a RHP.

With a runner on 2b he works out of the stretch. While engaged with the rubber he lifts his non-pivot leg in the normal fashion. While his non-pivot leg is coming up he turns his head (only his head) to check the runner. Then he turns his head back towards HP and completes pitch to the plate.

There is no pause or interruption in his movement. He just looks to 2b while in his movement.

Opposing coaches complain it is a balk but umpires disagree.

I am wondering if coaches might be right. It is not an interruption of his regular movement but it is an alteration and it is deceptive because he can easily continue pivoting to 2b in one movement and attempt a pick-off throw.

Part 2 to this question comes from my son in the event the prevailing opinion is that it is a balk. That is, why is a slide step allowed because that is also an alteration of his normal movement.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.