Skip to main content

13 replies

Balk Called

R rlcool81Member
In a High School game today, the pitcher while standing on the plate taking signs, realized the runner on 1st base is stealing 2nd and he steps back off the rubber and throws to 2nd baseman who tags runner.The base umpire calls a Balk for pitcher throwing to unoccupied base,after a lengthly argument with Manager,He throws the pitcher out of game for comments he makes during this time. I thought he could throw to unocupied base if he has not started motion and steps back off of rubber.
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

P PantherProud100+ posts
If the pitcher steps backward off of the plate with his pivot foot correctly then he may throw anywhere without being guilty of a balk for he is now considered an infielder. In addition in high school baseball, if he is in the set position, he may turn and throw to second in one continuous motion to make a play on the runner trying to steal from first providing he hasn't started a motion to deliver a pitch. In the example you gave, I can't think of anyway he can be guilty of a balk.
P PantherProud100+ posts
Tiger, in the case of the first baseman playing well behind the runner and not moving toward first base to receive a pickoff throw it would be a balk. However, if he moves toward the bag to receive the throw in a play on the runner it is not a balk. He does not have to be holding him on to make a play on him. In the case of throwing directly to the SS or 2nd baseman again the rule states that the pitcher must step and throw directly to the base so if either players break toward the bag to receive the throw and the throw is in the vicinity of the base than it’s a legal play on the runner and not a balk. However, the pitcher can’t turn and throw to let’s say the 2nd baseman breaking toward the runner halfway between 1st and 2nd since this is not in line with the throwing toward a base to play on a runner. A balk in this instance.
This is really an interesting question since it would be rare to see this in baseball HS or otherwise. I’m sure there are other comments about this one. Of course for purposes of clarification these examples are with the pitcher throwing from the plate and not having stepped backward off the plate with his pivot foot.
06catcherdad06catcherdad1,000+ posts
If the pitcher stepped backward off the pitcher's plate prior to turning and throwing to the 2nd baseman, I don't interpret this as a balk. We've seen this several times in the summer where a runner will prematurely break for 2nd in a 1st/3rd situation, and the pitcher simply steps back off the plate, turns and throws to the 2nd baseman. No balk, and when its executed properly, it stops baseball stunts like this from occuring again.
Last edited by 06catcherdad
Michael S. TaylorMichael S. Taylor1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by PantherProud:
Tiger, in the case of the first baseman playing well behind the runner and not moving toward first base to receive a pickoff throw it would be a balk. However, if he moves toward the bag to receive the throw in a play on the runner it is not a balk. He does not have to be holding him on to make a play on him. In the case of throwing directly to the SS or 2nd baseman again the rule states that the pitcher must step and throw directly to the base so if either players break toward the bag to receive the throw and the throw is in the vicinity of the base than it’s a legal play on the runner and not a balk. However, the pitcher can’t turn and throw to let’s say the 2nd baseman breaking toward the runner halfway between 1st and 2nd since this is not in line with the throwing toward a base to play on a runner. A balk in this instance.
This is really an interesting question since it would be rare to see this in baseball HS or otherwise. I’m sure there are other comments about this one. Of course for purposes of clarification these examples are with the pitcher throwing from the plate and not having stepped backward off the plate with his pivot foot.


I would agree with what you said about the move to first. However I take exception to balking him at second. If F1 throws to either F4 or F6 and they are closer to second than first it is not a balk. If you know of a case book play that I am missing let me know, I'm up for learning something. Big Grin
In the original play there is no balk period. As stated by others, he was a fielder.
P PantherProud100+ posts
06catcherdad,

You’re right and that’s exactly the way a pitcher is taught to react to a baserunner breaking to second. You see that often in a timing play where with two outs and runners on first (R2) and third (R1) the runner R2 breaks to second, while the pitcher is set, trying to draw a throw. R1 delays and breaks for the plate upon seeing a play made on R2. Of course, R2 stops halfway trying to get in a rundown so R1 breaking from third can score before R2 gets tagged out. Probably in 90% of cases you see the pitcher step backwards off the plate and throw to either the SS or 2nd baseman (perfectly legal), 8% of the cases he throws to 1st base (perfectly legal) so the 1st baseman can throw to 2nd, and maybe 2% he will throw to the player covering 2nd (again legal) in one continuous move. There is always the possibility, esp. with an inexperienced pitcher, that he will not step off correctly or not step toward the bag to throw and commit a balk.
blueskybluesky100+ posts
Had a game earlier this year where the in-fielders were all playing in with the first baseman on the grass and moving in toward home when the pitcher, without stepping off the rubber, threw to him.
First baseman looked surprised and he was so far off first, the runner walked back with no attempt to tag him out.

Ump failed to call the balk....but then again, the blue failed to call the balk against our guy later in the game when he stepped off the rubber with his front foot.
Both times, a runner was at third so it evened out.
Smile

Add Reply

Post
.

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Advanced Search
Advanced Search
Link copied to your clipboard.
×