Skip to main content

11 replies

Balk check?

N ny110+ posts
Just a dad here with a son that pitches, He is just starting with leades, picks... so I wanted to verfiy something.

Runner on 2nd, Right handed Pitcher in stretch:
Runner breaks to steal 3rd on first movement of pitchers leg lifting. Pitcher just lifts leg steps to 3rd base and throws.
(like a typical Lefties move to first base)

I used to think this was a balk since you cant throw to an unoccupied base. But have recently read that that you CAN throw or fake a throw to an unoccupied base - if it is to make a play on or drive back a runner.

Is that correect? if so - What rule is that based on? is it OBR 8.05(D)
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Jimmy03Jimmy031,000+ posts
You are confusing two rule sets. In high school ball, FED, a pitcher may throw to an unoccupied base to make a play or drive back a runner. In OBR, a pitcher may throw to an unoccupied base only to make a play.

The move you describe is legal provided no movement to home took place prior to the step and throw.
WelpeWelpe10+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by ny1:


Since in OBR you can only throw to an unoccupied base - to make a play....at what point would this move be a balk?


It would be a balk if, in the umpire's judgment, the runner was not making a legitimate attempt to steal. In other words, if the runner feints a move to third but never actually tried to steal it and the pitcher throws over to third, this would be a balk.

In Fed, that is legal.
Michael S. TaylorMichael S. Taylor1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Jimmy03:
quote:
Originally posted by ny1:
thank you for the replies!

Trojan-skipper brings up a good point!
How many everyday umpires would get this call correct?

Skipper called out 19 out of 20 would call this a balk.

Do others here agree with those numbers?


If the runner is truly attempting to advance, no.

In my group 19 out of 20 better get it right.
LB luv baseball5,000+ posts
Association I was part of would not give High School games to guys that wouldn't work the youth leagues. Some of the Associations biggest contracts were the youth leagues. Many more games than HS. The upshot was that new guys got to work with experianced guys and the expectation was that there would be a lot of feedback at the post game meeting and there was. When I started it was very helpful and I believed it helps guys get much better very fast.

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.
×