Balk scenario's ?

A balk is defined as any action by the pitcher designed to deceive the runner. That being said #1 should not be a balk and I think the rule has been changed for 2005. The pitcher is now allowed to turn his front shoulder while checking the runner. # 2 would not be a balk because the pitcher is not trying to deceive the runner. The most common balk call (or non call) on a left handed pitcher is that he starts his front leg toward the plate then throws to first.
Here's another one. Runners on first and third, right handed pitcher fakes a throw to third, wheels and throws to first. How is this not a balk? His action is clearly designed to deceive the runner on first.

KCdad...here are the newest rule changes and interpretations for 2005. When the NFHS uses the word set position you will see they mean in contact with the rubber, not that the hands are set. A little confusing, but when you read it all it makes sense and finally gives the pitcher a little leaway.

“The use of the shoulder turn while in the set position does not afford the pitcher an advantage, ” said B. Elliot Hopkins, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee. “The prohibition of such actually creates a disadvantage.”

6-1-1: Modifies the balk rule with allowing the “turning of the shoulders” under certain situations.

Rule 6-1-1 was revised to specify when a baseball pitcher can turn his shoulders toward base runners while on the mound. It is now legal for a pitcher to turn his shoulders to check a runner if he is in the set position and in contact with the pitcher’s plate. However, if the pitcher turns his shoulders in the windup position to check a runner, it is a balk. Turning the shoulders after bringing the hands together during or after the stretch is also a balk.



SITUATION 5: While in the set position, F1 has his pitching hand down in front of his body, swinging slowly as he gets the sign from the catcher. RULING: The use of this “gorilla” stance in the set position is illegal. A pitcher, for the set position, shall have his pitching hand down at his side or behind his back. (6-1-3


SITUATION 13: The visiting team’s pitcher is in the wind-up position. His pivot foot is on the pitcher’s plate. His non-pivot foot is to the side, and not in contact with the pitcher’s plate, but is positioned to be on a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate. The home team’s coach complains to the plate umpire that this is an illegal position. RULING: This is a legal stance when the pitcher is in the wind-up position. The pitcher’s non-pivot foot shall be in any position on or behind a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate. (6-1-2)

SITUATION 17: While in the set position, the pitcher has not yet come set. With his pitching hand at his side and his glove hand in front of his chest, he quickly turns his shoulder to check the runner at first base. RULING: This is a legal move. (6-1-1)

SITUATION 18: While in the wind-up position, the pitcher slowly turns his shoulders to check the runner taking his lead from third base. RULING: This is a balk. The runner at third base will be awarded home. A pitcher may not turn his shoulders to check a runner in the wind-up position. (6-1-1)

SITUATION 19: F1 is in the set position. Having taken his sign from the catcher, he brings his hands together and moves to become set. As he is still in the process of becoming set with his hands together, he turns his shoulders to check the runner at first base. RULING: This is a balk. The ball is dead and the runner on first will be awarded second base. Turning the shoulders in the set position after bringing the hands together during or after the stretch is a balk. (6-1-1)

Thanks Starzz for the info but I am confused about situation 19. Is this just stating that while coming to the set position he can not turn his shoulder but when he is set he can turn his shoulder?

DPDad, I do thank this left handed pause and throw is a deceptive move by the pitcher, heck that is why we train our lefties to do it also. The balk rule clearly states that once teh pitcher starts his natural pitching movement he must come to the plate. That is why the RT handers are supposedly not able to due this move (inwhich I think they should be able to if the LT handers can). If the balance position is not part of a left handers natural pitching movement than it shouldn't be considered that way for a RT hander IMO.

Now for DPDad scenario, The pitcher is able to perform this act if he steps off the rubber on his fake to 3rd or makes a clear step toward the 1st base prior to throwing to first if on the rubber. I think this is how the rule read, I don't have my book with me, today. We seen this done constantly and even though we trained against this tactic, we still had 2 of our better baserunners picked off at first early last year ... it is a very deceptive move.

Yes...you have got it!

once the pitcher comes off the rubber and fakes to third (he doesn't have to throw), and then wheels toward first, he's now an infielder and not a pitcher, so he can do handstands if he wants to.

Just wondering if anyone had developed a reasoning why the LT handed pitcher can go the balance point fro a pick-off and a RT hander can not. This just really bugs me so I was just wanting your alls thoughts on it.

When you throw to first you have to step directly toward first. A LH can be considered to be taking a strange looking step directly toward first as he comes to the balance point. Once a LHer's stride foot crosses the plane of the rubber he is no longer stepping directly toward first and must go to the plate.

A RH coming to the balance point is stepping away from first and cannot be considered to be stepping directly toward first.

The balk rule states though that once F1 starts his natural motion he must go home (that is paraphrased but I believe to be accurate). That seems to me that even the left hander violates the rule when he come to the balance point vs just stepping directly to first. Just confusing to me

KC---I think you'll agree that a lot of rules are "open" to interpretation by umpires even though rules are in black and white for all to see. "Stepping directly to the base" means
if the front foot comes within the right area code toward the base. All open to umpires' discretion. You have to know your umpire. Below is a rule word for word out of MLB rules and
it is never enforced even though it is very explicit.

"The pitcher may have one foot, not the pivot foot, off the rubber and any distance he may desire back of a line which is an extension to the back edge of the pitcher's plate, but not at either side of the pitcher's plate. With his "free" foot the pitcher may take one step backward and one step forward, but under no circumstances, to either side, that is to either the first base or third base side of the pitcher's rubber."

Most pitchers in HS,College,Professional are now stepping to the side and quite a few are actually taking a small step forward with their free foot. This will never be enforced even
though it's black and white and explicit.

Another rule states that the pivot foot will remain in contact with the ground at all times, but virtually every pitcher raises his foot off the rubber when making the pivot.

Bottom line-know your umpire if you can!

(The above rule relates to the windup)

Moc1,
You have correctly stated the rule for pitching from the windup position for MLB. However, as is the case for quite a few rules the high school pitching rule is different. The HS rule states " The pitcher's non-pivot foot shall be in any position on or behind a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher's plate. He is limited to not more than two pumps or rotations. -------- During delivery, he may lift his non-pivot foot in a step forward, a step sideways, or in a step backward and a step forward, but he shall not otherwise lift either foot." This comes from Rule 6-1-2 for the windup position of the NFHS rules. The paragraph includes other information not needed for this discussion. My point is there is substantial difference between the MLB rule and the HS rule.

Moc1, I do agree that a lot of balk calls are left up to interpretation by the umpire, which is really sad. The balk rule isn't that complicated ... Start your pitching motion -> have to go home ... pretty simple. I just don't understand why it has to be so difficult. You are also right on the pivot foot and the wind-up, all our kids lift it off the ground slightly but it never gets called an illegal pitch.

PantherProud, You are correct in stating that the HS rule is different from the ML rule. However, this rule was recently changed to allow a sideways step. It still does not allow "two"
forward steps that a lot of pitchers do. For example: RH pitcher stands with both feet on the
rubber, first move is a slight step to the front of the rubber(first FORWARD step), he then brings his left leg up as most pitchers do in the high kick position and then steps forward again(second forward step). This will never be called by an umpire.

Also, the rule you have quoted is very ambiguous. It states "he may lift his non-pivot foot in a step forward(Jim Kaat used to pitch that way), a step sideways, or in a step backward and a
step forward, but he shall not otherwise lift either foot." Please explain how a pitcher can
step sideways with his non-pivot foot and still pitch the ball without also stepping forward?

The rule should state "a step forward, a step sideways and a step forward or in a step backward
and a step forward".

My only reason for pointing all this out is that umpires will interpret the rules however they
want even though they are very eplicit in their definition.

Can't wait for first game Friday so my wife can yell at "Blue" instead of me

#19 as I read it is disallowing the "Musinna" move where he starts his stretch and looks at first as he is coming up. When Fed changed the shoulder turning rule this year I think they did a bad job. They are allowing both a slow turn and a quick turn before setting. In other codes the quick turn is considered a feint and is balked.
When looking at balk situations don't get so hung up on the deceiving portion of the rule. There are two types of balks, administrative and deception. The pitcher is taught to deceive the runner and can as long as he stays inside of the rules. There has been a myth for years about a pitcher can't change his motion or it is a balk. That is completely untrue, otherwise there would be no slide step or other legal changes. He can changes his motion, speed of set or delivery.