Unusual Balk Call

Did he impeded the runners ability to get back to the bag?

If he is off the rubber then it's nothing. If he is on the rubber and the F3 isn't near the bag then it is a balk. 6.2.4 situation J It uses the term proximity. What that is is left to the umpites judgement.

that's a stupid rule. does that mean daylight plays are balks, where the pitcher turns and throws exactly as the baseman breaks for the bag to catch the pickoff?

Not as long as the throw is to the vicinity of first base. If he throws to F3 at his normal fielding location then it is a balk.

F3 was not playing in a deep defensive position but was positioned off first base between the runner and the bag about 6 feet. Mike Taylor, under what balk rule interpretation would it be considered a balk if F3 played in his normal defensive position?

Above I gave the casebook site for the balk call in Fed. There is a similar one for OBR but I don't have that handy. Neither book has it as part of their rules but instead an interp.

quote:

I gave the casebook site for the balk call in Fed......There is a similar one for OBR

How in the world can someone interpret "can't throw to an unoccupied base except for the purpose of making a play on a runner" into "you can't throw to an infielder who is playing off the base but is close enough to tag the runner"? If that's what the powers that be want the rule to be then fine, but why can't they put that in the rule book so that us average coaches can find it? I'm sorry, but if an ump balked my pitcher for throwing to a first baseman playing off the bag (but close enough to tag the runner) I'd have a hard time accepting that, especially since it is (or seems to be) spelled out quite clearly in the rules.

This is a "planned play" with the intent to decieve the runner.
The average coach would not know it is a balk, the average ump probably would not know it is a balk.
"rule number 1"; was the intent to deceive the runner? Yes - it's a balk.
Your comment regarding you would have a hard time to except this is one reason many coaches are tossed from the game.
I've bee umping for 10 years. I read the rule book, and case book every year.
Many coaches do not know the rules completely.

By the comments I have received not too many people know about this interpretation of the balk rule and even fewer umps call it. The play was never "planned", our intention was to pick off the runner not trick him. The throw was made to the F3 who was in reasonable vicinity of the base.We were supprised by the call however since the ump who called it could not produce the explanation in the IHSA baseball rule book.

I took this from a previous answer......this balk call is a judgment call from the umpire.....NFHS rule 6-2-4b requires a pitcher to step directly toward a base....if not then its a balk....

The exception is that a pitcher can throw to the F3 in an attempt to pick off a base runner....but, in the umpires judgment, that first baseman has to be in the "proximity" of the base..... if he is no balk.... if he isnt then it is a balk.

In your case if F3 is 6 feet from the bag, that umpire must have felt that was not close enough for an attempt to put out the runner....so he called the balk.....

In most cases, and I'm talking practical application here, if the first baseman is moving towards the bag at the time of the throw, many umpires would not call a balk here.....but that is an NCAA interpretation and not strict NFHS....

NCAA allows the moving toward the base play as no balk.....

hope this helps

I thought if a pitcher steps off the rubber he is an immediate infielder and could do whatever he wanted to do with the ball, even if he throws it out to the right fielder, if this is true then why would this be a balk?

The example I am discussing involves a throw from the rubber.....

I have obtained a 2005 copy of the NFHS baseball rule book which we use in Illinois and there isn't any reference to a 6.2.4 situation J because it only goes to situation H. So the example of proximity to the base isn't referenced in this rule book which is probably causing the confusion.
So the next question is does the ruling stand if it's not in the rule book we use?

quote:

Originally posted by John L:
I have obtained a 2005 copy of the NFHS baseball rule book which we use in Illinois and there isn't any reference to a 6.2.4 situation J because it only goes to situation H. So the example of proximity to the base isn't referenced in this rule book which is probably causing the confusion.
So the next question is does the ruling stand if it's not in the rule book we use?

The rule refernced is 6.2.4b, but when a reference talks about "Situation x" then that is a reference ti the NFHS Case Book. The case book takes the rules and gives their application for actual plays. You need the 2006 case book to see "Situation J" as quoted.

As an Illinois official that rule is in effect here too.

So if we are facing a lefty (righties would step off the rubber more often than not), I could tell my runner to go halfway to second and stand there. If he throws to 1st or 2nd, he is throwing to an unoccupied base. If he throws to a fielder standing next to the runner, it is also a balk.

Of course, stepping off the rubber negates all this, but some inexperienced lefties would just step and throw.

quote:

Originally posted by IrishDad:
So if we are facing a lefty (righties would step off the rubber more often than not), I could tell my runner to go halfway to second and stand there. If he throws to 1st or 2nd, he is throwing to an unoccupied base. If he throws to a fielder standing next to the runner, it is also a balk.

Of course, stepping off the rubber negates all this, but some inexperienced lefties would just step and throw.

no, it would not be a balk. the rule says he must step and throw directly to a base "in an effort to put out or drive back a runner". What that means is that he can throw to either first of secons, just not in the middle. Obviously the best solution is to step off and run at the runner, but as an alternative he may throw directly to either base.

If he is halfway and he throws to the secondbaseman then it wouldn't be a balk. Also, the Situation J is in the 2005 casebook.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael S. Taylor:
If he is halfway and he throws to the secondbaseman then it wouldn't be a balk.

Even if F4 was standing next to a staionary R1 halfway between 1B and 2B?

No, the only base the balk comes in is first. Strange but true.