Is it a balk if the pitcher makes a little hesitation in his motion, that he does not always do, but still continues on and makes the pitch to the plate.
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It could be.........there just isnt enough information in your post to know....but I have called balks for hesitations in pitching motions.....
Piaa ump,
It was a short pause, but not a stop, in the motion, is it a balk? Could you describe some examples, here, of a balk in this case and what would not be a balk, thank you.
It was a short pause, but not a stop, in the motion, is it a balk? Could you describe some examples, here, of a balk in this case and what would not be a balk, thank you.
I've always heard that its a "deception" question on any hesitation movement. If it is not a movement that is a normal part of the pitcher's windup and it could be considered deceptive to the runner, then that action can result in a balk call. Up to the umpire.
Many pitchers vary their speed of delivery from pitch to pitch. Sometimes that includes slowing almost to a stop.(pause) As long as he doesn't actually stop it should be ok. The important thing to remember it is a judgement by the umpire and that may change ump to ump so I suggest not doing anything that could be a possible balk.
Thank you - Michael - well said.
If the pitch is made and the batter hits it with runners on is it a dead ball and runners advance one base or is there an option to take the batted ball.(If the batted ball was an extra base hit scoreing runs)
In NFHS Rules, a balk is an immediate dead ball. There is no option to take the result of the pitch.
NFHS Rule 5 Article 1 Section 1 (K)
Penalty: all runners advance one base , the batter remains at bat.
NCAA and OBR rules have the provision that if all runners advance (including the batter) the balk is ignored.
NFHS Rule 5 Article 1 Section 1 (K)
Penalty: all runners advance one base , the batter remains at bat.
NCAA and OBR rules have the provision that if all runners advance (including the batter) the balk is ignored.
While on the subject of balks: I received an email from GerryDavis.com that said a good practice to get into is that you consider the pitcher getting ready to balk ... until he proves he hasn't. At first I was skeptical of this line of thinking. I've used it so far with good results. Now I catch the little accidental shifts of the shoulders; or the non-stop motion of an otherwise good pitching motion pitcher that I've occasionaly missed before.