I was recently called for a balk when getting a grip on the ball in my glove. Is this considered a balk when I am not making any large movements and the only thing moving is my hand in the glove?
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Generally no it shouldn't be. I have seen pitchers, while trying to get a grip on the ball, move their gloves a fair amount. I still try to say something to them before it gets to a balk.
I've called it, warned it and ignored it.
Depends on what trying to get a grip looks like? Were you in the set position? Were you herky jerky, remember deception does not have to be intentional. Did you part your hands a discernable amount, take the ball out of your glove? This is one, you gotta be there to see it before a judgement can be made.
Depends on what trying to get a grip looks like? Were you in the set position? Were you herky jerky, remember deception does not have to be intentional. Did you part your hands a discernable amount, take the ball out of your glove? This is one, you gotta be there to see it before a judgement can be made.
For me the key question is whether or not it is part of your routine for each pitch. Are you trying to decieve the base runner or is it part of your normal routine. I will allow even the most bizare routines as long as they are just that, part of the pitchers individual routine.
Having been a pitcher and had some experience with this problem, if you come to a discernable stop...ie., for interval count of at least 1000:1 and then you reset your grip, that is a balk.
If you need to reset your grip and you have come to a discernable stop, just take your foot off the rubber and reset.
If you need to reset your grip and you have come to a discernable stop, just take your foot off the rubber and reset.
DPHSbasbllplyer,
Adjusting your grip on the ball, even after going to the full set position, is not a balk. However, you have to be aware of the fact that some umpires pull the trigger (call a balk) on movement faster than others.
If, in fact, you didn't move anything other than your hand while adjusting your grip then a balk should not have been called. But when you choose to adjust after you're fully set that's the risk you take. Once the ump calls the balk your coach can argue the point but it's very unlikely he's going to un-call it.
Adjusting your grip on the ball, even after going to the full set position, is not a balk. However, you have to be aware of the fact that some umpires pull the trigger (call a balk) on movement faster than others.
If, in fact, you didn't move anything other than your hand while adjusting your grip then a balk should not have been called. But when you choose to adjust after you're fully set that's the risk you take. Once the ump calls the balk your coach can argue the point but it's very unlikely he's going to un-call it.