Balk or no Balk

wmandino

Can a left handed pitcher in the "stretch" hold(pause) his left leg in the air before coming to the plate? The pause was not long and he was doing this from the first time a batter got on base. I don't think he was trying to deceive the runners since this was his his natural pitching motion from the "stretch" or would that matter. Just trying to settle a disagreement.

mbyron

Standard interpretations of pro rules require continuous movement. That does not mean that everything must move: if the arms are swinging, for instance, while the leg is held still, no problem.

Natural pitching motion is irrelevant.

wmandino

Highschool. I thought the umpire made the right no call on this tonight. The coach argued with him about it between innings on why he didn't call a balk. I said no balk for the wrong reason I guess. Thanks!!!!!

jumpmaster

Originally posted by wmandino
Can a left handed pitcher in the "stretch" hold(pause) his left leg in the air before coming to the plate? The pause was not long and he was doing this from the first time a batter got on base. I don't think he was trying to deceive the runners since this was his his natural pitching motion from the "stretch" or would that matter. Just trying to settle a disagreement.

No - what you have described is a start and stop after the pitcher has come into the "Set" position.

Balk.

mbyron

Alan, it's only start and stop if everything stops, not just the leg. If his arms are swinging while the leg stops, I've got nothing.

jumpmaster

Originally posted by mbyron
Alan, it's only start and stop if everything stops, not just the leg. If his arms are swinging while the leg stops, I've got nothing.

agreed. the original sitch didn't refer to any other movement.

David Emerling

Originally posted by wmandino
Can a left handed pitcher in the "stretch" hold(pause) his left leg in the air before coming to the plate? The pause was not long and he was doing this from the first time a batter got on base. I don't think he was trying to deceive the runners since this was his his natural pitching motion from the "stretch" or would that matter. Just trying to settle a disagreement.

If a LEFT-HANDER lifted his LEFT leg before pitching, whether he paused or not, I'd call it a balk 100% of the time. 🙂

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

RPatrino

Emerling, you're a nit-picker!! I'd pay to see a lefty try to pitch while his left leg was in the air!!

Seriously, the question has been answered, with one amplification, if I may add it. Lefty pitcher's have been given a bit of latitude on this move, where they actually stop and hold their "Right" leg up, attempting to get the runner to make a move, so they can then step toward 1st and pick off the runner. This is a BALK! Don't let those sneaky southpaws get away with this.

Bob P.

SanDiegoSteve

Originally posted by David Emerling

Originally posted by wmandino
Can a left handed pitcher in the "stretch" hold(pause) his left leg in the air before coming to the plate? The pause was not long and he was doing this from the first time a batter got on base. I don't think he was trying to deceive the runners since this was his his natural pitching motion from the "stretch" or would that matter. Just trying to settle a disagreement.

If a LEFT-HANDER lifted his LEFT leg before pitching, whether he paused or not, I'd call it a balk 100% of the time. 🙂

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

ROTFLMAO!!!!!

wmandino

sorry for all the confusion. RIGHT hander with a runner on 2nd and 3rd comes set, lifts his lead leg(left)and holds/pauses it before coming to the plate. The pause wasn't long, maybe a second before continuing to the plate.

largeone59

Originally posted by wmandino
sorry for all the confusion. RIGHT hander with a runner on 2nd and 3rd comes set, lifts his lead leg(left)and holds/pauses it before coming to the plate. The pause wasn't long, maybe a second before continuing to the plate.

Balk-a-rooni! Not a continuous motion to the plate.

I think everyone else has given sufficient reasons why you should balk this move.