Skip to main content

 According to the Official Baseball Rules (OBR), the pitcher, after coming to a set position, may either deliver a pitch, step off the pitching plate or throw to ANY base.  As the rules are written, you can throw to 1st base while your foot is still engaged with the pitching plate as long as you step directly towards 1st base without any deception to the runner.  Technically, all pick off moves must be made by stepping directly to the base while still engaged with the pitchin plate (rubber).  The jump step, while disengaging the pivot foot from the pitching plate, is technically a balk but has evolved as still being in contact with the pitching plate, thus allowing it to be an accepted move to coincide with the OBR pitchin rules.  I read this recently in the OBR and found it to be contrary to everything I knew about pick off moves to first base.  I'm sure I will get a lot of resistance on this posting, but read the OBR and give me some feedback on interpretation.  I have attached the exact wording for your convienence.

 

The Set Position. Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when he stands

facing the batter with his pivot foot in contact with, and his other foot in front of, the

pitcher’s plate, holding the ball in both hands in front of his body and coming to a

complete stop. From such Set Position he may deliver the ball to the batter, throw

to a base or step backward off the pitcher’s plate with his pivot foot. Before

assuming Set Position, the pitcher may elect to make any natural preliminary

motion such as that known as “the stretch.” But if he so elects, he shall come to Set

Position before delivering the ball to the batter. After assuming Set Position, any

natural motion associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to

the pitch without alteration or interruption.

 

At any time during the pitcher’s preliminary movements and until his natural

pitching motion commits him to the pitch, he may throw to any base provided he

steps directly toward such base before making the throw.

Rule 8.01(c) Comment: The pitcher shall step “ahead of the throw.” A snap throw followed by

the step directly toward the base is a balk.

 

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

I'm sayin the rule also pertains to the right handed pitcher. Ithink if you ask most people, they would say the pitcher has to disengage the rubber when throwing to 1st base. The right handed pitcher can step towards first as long as his first motion is stepping towards 1st base while still engaged with the rubber.  In addition, according to the rule, disengaging in front of the rubber is technically a balk but it has evolved into acceptance and is still considered in touch with the rubber.  Through years of conversation and pitching, most people think that disengaging from the rubber is required for a pick off when the rule mentions no requirement of disengaging from the rubbber to throw to first or any base.. 

 

Pursuant to the lefty pitcher, so many people talk about 45 degree angles, toe point,etc.  The rule states "After assuming Set Position, any

natural motion associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to

the pitch without alteration or interruption. "  The rule is later stated as not to deceive the runner.  It becomes a judgement call since no specifics in the rule are mandated,

Originally Posted by Rich:

I'm sayin the rule also pertains to the right handed pitcher. Ithink if you ask most people, they would say the pitcher has to disengage the rubber when throwing to 1st base. 

1.  This is why we don't rely on the opinion of "most people."  Most people do not know or understand the rules of their interpretaitons.

 

2.  The rule book does not differentiate between right handed or left handed pitchers.  All of the rules apply to both.

 

 

 

Originally Posted by Rich:

 

Pursuant to the lefty pitcher, so many people talk about 45 degree angles, toe point,etc.  The rule states "After assuming Set Position, any

natural motion associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to

the pitch without alteration or interruption. "  The rule is later stated as not to deceive the runner.  It becomes a judgement call since no specifics in the rule are mandated,

Wrong rule. The right rule (8.05 c) requires a step directly towards the base. Since 1889 this has been officially interpreted as stepping more towards the base to which he is throwing than a different base.

Thanks for letting me know I'm not crazy. I've spoken to over 30 people in the last two weeks about the balk rules.  They look at me like I am from outerspace and disagree until I bring out the rule book. These have been coaches who have played at the college level, professional trainers at our facility and 3 umpires (unfortunately, that's been my experience in Northern Illinois with "most people" ).  Thanks for the additional info.

I had a long conversation with a longtime manager that was a pitcher and another that pitched professionally. They did agree that you could pick from the stretch without disengaging, but were both completely resistant to the idea you could do the same from the wind-up. The manager said I would have to dump him if I allowed it. I told him I was ok with that. 

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×