Why not another balk question

I'm not sure why you would be in the balance position with runners on, but it would be a balk becasue you have commited to pitching to the plate.

quote:

Originally posted by d8:
Can a pitcher come to his 'balance position', without going toward another base, step directly toward first for a pick off? Why/why not.

I am not aware of the term "balance position" in the rule book. Could you please define it for me.

Balance point.....pitcher has lifted his glove foot, but has not broken his hands or moved toward the plate to deliver the pitch. Many left handers get to this position before picking to first. I was wondering if you could do the same as a right handed pitcher and step toward first.

The balance position I believe d8 is talking about here would be easiest to envision if you think of a lefty taking a sign, coming set and then lifting his front leg straight up, his right foot still parallel with rubber and his thigh parallel to the ground. At this point he has not committed to throw to first or to the plate.

I have contended for years that a righty can step backwards to first the same way a lefty can step forwards. IN NFHS all it says is directly, not forwards or backwards. But try to pull it off. I argued in our umps meeting last year that it was legal and they said it was not because they don't do it in the pros. But never could find a rule that clearly stated it. i believe I would call it legal in a game unless the coach showed me something in writing that clearly made it a balk.

Because the free foot of a lefty is (at balance point)indeed going towards 1st, the base he will throw to.

On the other hand, er, ah, FOOT, the righty "at balance Point", the free foot is going towards 3rd and must be brought forward TOWARDS HOME in order to complete the turn too 1st as you describe, hence must go home..

The lefty would be faced with the same scenario if trying to go to 3rd, the foot at "balance point" is facing 1st, in order to complete the turn to 3rd, the foot must go forward TOWARDS HOME, hence must go home.

I contend that it is a legal move by definition. It is deceptive, but what pick off move is not? That is the whole point. It is the same as coming to the balance point then swinging around and picking to second. I feel that if you step straight back toward first, it should be a legal move.

quote:

Originally posted by d8:
Can a rh pitcher come to his 'balance position', without going toward another base, step directly toward first for a pick off? Why/why not.

I think the better question is, why would you want to do this? If you try this move you're stepping backwards and would still need to pivot somehow to throw over to 1st. I think it would be much quicker to do the traditional pickoff moves. Unless, your thought is to do it to catch the runner off guard thinking "What in the world is that kid doing?"

quote:

Originally posted by d8:
Can a rh pitcher come to his 'balance position', without going toward another base, step directly toward first for a pick off? Why/why not.

I'v got no problem with it, as long as you end with your toes on your left foot pointing toward first base.