Possible balk

quote:

Originally posted by coach2709:
We have a runner on first base and a LHP on the mound. The pitcher comes set and throws to first without moving his feet. His right / free foot does not come up and obviously does not gain ground. His left / pivot foot never disengages the rubber before he throws. He literally breaks his hands and throws very weakly to first base because it's all arms.

I'm thinking this is a balk because he never gains ground towards first and his first movement is the breaking of the hands without delivering a pitch.

What is the correct call?

Thanks guys

You are correct. Any throw to a base has to have a step ahead of the throw.

This is a balk. The pitcher is required to step towards the base (gain ground) he is throwing to, he even has to make a step if he is feinting to the base.

Coach, I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but this is a balk...

This is the type of balk even parents can call...

quote:

Originally posted by JMoff:
Coach, I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but this is a balk...

This is the type of balk even parents can call...

Well, parents can call any balk, even the ones that aren't.

LOL thanks guys and honestly the first time he did it (I was coaching first base) it caught me off guard. Going back to the old idea just because it looks funky doesn't mean it's illegal. I immediately started questioning myself if what I saw was correct and if my knowledge of the rule was correct. Then he did it 2 or 3 more times that inning.

After the inning was over I asked the field ump about it and he says it wasn't because it's umps judgement if the guy gains ground or not. I asked how in your judgement did he gain ground when his feet never moved? I know that sounds like a smart alec question but it wasn't and I didn't enunciate it that way either. It flustered him and I just left it alone because there was no point in pushing it.

Later in the game we get another runner on and I tell him to be awake because he uses a balk move that won't be called. The first baseman tells me the ump told the pitcher it was a balk and not to do it again. So I guess it worked.

To me it's a balk... Cuz I don't like trying to steal off lefties anyway!
How's that for a non rule supported reason