quote:Originally posted by GovernorTim:
Rule 8.01 Comment: Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs but may not step quickly onto the rubber and pitch. This may be judged a quick pitch by the umpire. When the pitcher disengages the rubber, he must drop his hands to his sides.
Pitchers will not be allowed to disengage the rubber after taking each sign.
Rule 8.05(e) Comment: A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter’s box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball.
The fact that the umpires did nothing indicate they did not feel the batter was at a disadvantage and was reasonably set. Still its a judgement call by the umpire.
The fact that he disengaged the rubber and did not drop his hands to his side is a balk in my book. But I am interested in the pro's take on it as well.
I think I missed where it is a balk for "just engaging the rubber with his hands together" for OBR anyways. I see no penalty associated with engaging the rubber after disengaging it and never dropping his hands. It is a "Don't do that" but not a balk.
Now, the quick pitch is a different issue. That is a balk but the umpire has to wait until the pitcher is committed to throw to the plate. Remember, with a runner on, merely lifting the nonpivot foot does not commit him to the plate. So, he can "quick" pickoff to 2B. Nothing prevents that.
Unless there is an interpretation or rule I am missing (which there may be since I don't have my material now), there is no balk for engaging the rubber with hands together. It is just a "Don't do that" and the umpires can call "Time" and tell him to not do it. Then, if he persists, they could EJ him for not complying but I wouldn't do that either. Just keep calling "Time" until he gets it.
There is only a balk if the pitcher does a quick pitch. And, that is judgment.