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Balk clarification

F fallontheballMember
Thought I was well versed on the balk rules...after playing some games this month, perhaps not?

What are your thoughts on these 2 situations: Right-handed pitcher is working from the windup with a runner leading off of 3rd base. Before starting his windup, and in an attempt to keep the baserunner at 3rd base in check, he steps off the rubber -- taking a step forward with his pivot foot(rather than off the side of the rubber with his pivot foot). Balk, correct?

The second situation involved a pitcher working from the stretch. With a runner taking a lead off of 2nd base, the pitcher stepped off the rubber and threw to his 2nd baseman, only the 2nd baseman wasn't at/going towards the base, instead he was just standing about 15 feet to the left of the base. I was under the belief that a pitcher couldn't spin and throw to an unoccupied base...or by "unoccupied" does that only apply to a baserunner?

Thanks for any opinions.
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M Matt1310,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by fallontheball:
Thought I was well versed on the balk rules...after playing some games this month, perhaps not?

What are your thoughts on these 2 situations: Right-handed pitcher is working from the windup with a runner leading off of 3rd base. Before starting his windup, and in an attempt to keep the baserunner at 3rd base in check, he steps off the rubber -- taking a step forward with his pivot foot(rather than off the side of the rubber with his pivot foot). Balk, correct?

The second situation involved a pitcher working from the stretch. With a runner taking a lead off of 2nd base, the pitcher stepped off the rubber and threw to his 2nd baseman, only the 2nd baseman wasn't at/going towards the base, instead he was just standing about 15 feet to the left of the base. I was under the belief that a pitcher couldn't spin and throw to an unoccupied base...or by "unoccupied" does that only apply to a baserunner?

Thanks for any opinions.


You're one (or a bit less) for two. The first one is a balk; it is an illegal disengagement, to which you alluded. However, even if he had done what you suggested, it still would have been a balk--a legal disengagement requires the pivot foot to move behind the rubber, not to the side.

The second is perfectly legal with a runner on second. It is only illegal to feint to one occupied base--first. If he throws to the base itself or a fielder close enough to the runner to make a play, it is not a feint. If throws to a fielder away from a base, it is a feint.
F fallontheballMember
Hey experts--

Need a little bit more of your insight with a situation that occurred this past weekend. My pitcher was called for a balk with a runner on 1st base when he moved his pivot foot (he's a right-handed pitcher) off the pitching plate -- but not BEHIND it, rather he moved his foot parallel to the plate (in other words, towards 1st base).

So, he basically stepped off the pitching plate with his pivot foot moving backwards towards 1st base as his first move.

Legal or illegal move?
M Matt1310,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by fallontheball:
Hey experts--

Need a little bit more of your insight with a situation that occurred this past weekend. My pitcher was called for a balk with a runner on 1st base when he moved his pivot foot (he's a right-handed pitcher) off the pitching plate -- but not BEHIND it, rather he moved his foot parallel to the plate (in other words, towards 1st base).

So, he basically stepped off the pitching plate with his pivot foot moving backwards towards 1st base as his first move.

Legal or illegal move?


I refer you to my above answer (which you seemed to understand, BTW...) A legal disengagement must be behind the rubber, not to the side.
Last edited by Matt13
Michael S. TaylorMichael S. Taylor1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by fallontheball:
Thanks Matt13...much appreciated!

Would it then be true that the "jump step" pickoff move is essentially the only way that a pitcher can throw to 1st base without stepping off behind the pitching plate?

From the rubber, the pitcher has three options for an engaged move. He may stay in contact and simply swing to first and throw. He can jump turn and throw. Or he can jab step and throw. To make a move and not throw he must step off the back of the rubber.

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