Balk Call

Sounds like a bad ump problem to me. No such requirement in the rule book. Pedro Astacio comes to mind, always dangles the ball at his side as he looks in. Even "Balk-a-Day" Bob Davis never calls it.

Midlo Dad is right about this.

There isn't any "hide the ball behind the leg" rule.

NFHS (Fed) did make a case reference to the "gorilla" stance though. This occurs when pitcher is in set position looking in for the sign and is swinging his pitching arm back and forth. This is considered illegal.

To be legal the ball can be in either the glove hand or pitching hand. Pitching hand can be down at his side or behind his back.

Bad call, unless the Ump meant he "hid the ball". From MLB 8.01 b: Preparatory to coming to a set position, the pitcher shall have one hand on his side; from this position he shall go to his set position as defined in Rule 8.01 (b) without interruption and in one continuous motion.

We talked to another umpire at a game last night. It seems this is some kind of Florida "special" rule. Leave it to this state to make things more confusing.

Royals

quote:

We talked to another umpire at a game last night. It seems this is some kind of Florida "special" rule. Leave it to this state to make things more confusing.

Royals

I will be umpiring some tournament ball in Florida later this year, can you provide a rule reference regarding this "special rule"?

Thanks

I can not provide you a reference. The umpire said the rule in Florida was changed because not putting the ball behind the leg was deceiving the runner at first base.

It does not make sense to me.

Royals

quote:

Originally posted by Royals:
I can not provide you a reference. The umpire said the rule in Florida was changed because not putting the ball behind the leg was deceiving the runner at first base.

It does not make sense to me.

Royals

Regardless of whether the rule makes sense, if that is the rule there, then the umpire did the only thing he could. He applied the rules given to him by that game's governing authority. The rules make no allowance for umpires to choose which rules they agree with and then only apply those. Bottom line, if the governing body in FL say that the ball must be revealed on the pitcher's pivot leg, then teach your players to follow the rule.

We have taken care to talk to the pitchers. There does seem to be some inconsistency with making the call. some umpires said they will call it. Some said they will look to see if the pitchers are consistent in their motions.

royals

I know there is a new rule in college this year that says that the pitcher is not allowed to "dangle" the ball out in front but it must be at his side or behind him. Why? who knows but I saw a coach say something the other day and the opposing pitcher called for a balk because of it.