Skip to main content

Replies sorted oldest to newest

A pitcher does not need to disengage the rubber to throw to an occupied base. He must step toward that base when throwing. It is hard to tell how open his stance is without seeing it. Depending on how "open" he is, it could be illegal. His entire non-pivot foot must be in front of a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher's plate (Fed 6-1-3)
Open or closed, a pitcher may step to any base without disengaging. There are restrictions depending on the base but disengaging is not required at any base or either handedness.
Now directly to your question. With a right hand pitcher, he may even come set and still step to first, but he can't start his motion toward the plate. This means he has to swing and step directly to first, which is very hard to do without balking.
quote:
Originally posted by Coach_Dave:
Right hander on the rubber has a open stance as he is getting the sign. Shoulders/ left foot facing first base. before coming set throws over to first base and never disengages the rubber. thanks in advance for your time.


As others have pointed out, he does not have to disengage. He does, however, need to gain distance and direction toward the bag. Your post doesn't indicate if he stepped or not.
quote:
Originally posted by Jeff Connell:
Michael, I used to teach it too. Problem is most umpires don't know that it is legal. In Georgia, it was never called. But you couldn't hardly pull a jump move there without it being called a balk. Now in Tennessee, you have to step off and you can modify the balk move any way you want.

Then, you weren't in my area of Georgia or I never saw your games.
quote:
Originally posted by Jeff Connell:
Michael, I used to teach it too. Problem is most umpires don't know that it is legal. In Georgia, it was never called. But you couldn't hardly pull a jump move there without it being called a balk. Now in Tennessee, you have to step off and you can modify the balk move any way you want.

As an umpire trainer I ask, please, please, please protest when **** like that is done. Protest, back it up with 8.01a and 8.01b. If you lose, refer them here or to Umpire-Empire.com. Either place will teach any umpire, coach or league administrator the proper rules. It does no one any good for coaches to not teach proper techniques to players because umpires won't call it correctly.
quote:
Originally posted by Gold Glove:
To the umpires,
I am trying to imagine a RHP throwing to first without disengaging. Has anyone seen this performed successfully? I just keep seeing first movement toward HP in my mind's eye. Is there any video?


1. Read the rule. It does not differentiate between left and right handed pitchers.

2. A smooth, low, continuous sweep of the left foot towards first that does not involve the knee coming up is the best description I can give you.
quote:
Originally posted by Gold Glove:
To the umpires,
I am trying to imagine a RHP throwing to first without disengaging. Has anyone seen this performed successfully? I just keep seeing first movement toward HP in my mind's eye. Is there any video?

Yes, in fact, I saw it for the first time in 19 years of umpiring this past Thursday night. He did and I didn't even think about it being a balk. I was surprised no one was yelling for a balk but it was silent. I guess none of them saw what he did or realized what he did. He didn't get the runner though.

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×