Is there a rule saying that all fielders must be in the field of play when pitcher starts motion

[UMP4LIFE99]

I had a coach say that all fielders except catcher must be in the field of play by the time the pitcher makes his first movement if they are not it is a balk. for example the first baseman had his back foot when holding on the runner behind the bag in foul territory would it be a balk and if it is where does it say in the rule book

[bam]

What ruleset?

 

And it's not a balk.

[UmpJM]

UMP4LIFE,

 

Depends on the rule code.

 

FED rules state that all players (other than the catcher) shall be in fair territory at the TOP, but explicitly state that a fielder with one foot in fair territory is deemed compliant. (1-1-4).

 

OBR rules state that the fielders (other than the catcher) must be in fair territory when the ball is "...put in play..." rather than at the TOP. Custom and practice say to ignore if one foot is foul until/unless someone complains, then enforce for both teams. (4.03)

 

The penalty is NOT a balk. Many people mistakenly believe that the 4.03(a) Penalty applies to all of 4.03. They are mistaken.

 

JM

[maven]

~~

[umpcoachfather]

Can't be a balk because the pitcher can't pitch unless all are on the field of play and the catcher is in his box. 

[umpcoachfather]

OBR Rule 4.03 When the ball is put in play at the start of, or during a game, all fielders other than

the catcher shall be on fair territory.

(a) The catcher shall station himself directly back of the plate. He may leave his position

at any time to catch a pitch or make a play except that when the batter is being

given an intentional base on balls, the catcher must stand with both feet within the

lines of the catcher’s box until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.

[Rich Ives]

Can't be a balk because the pitcher can't pitch unless all are on the field of play and the catcher is in his box. 

 

No!  He can.  There may or may not be a penalty. That's the issue here - is there a penalty an if so what is it?

[umpcoachfather]

No penalty - it's no pitch. 

He can do what he wants (plant flowers, throw his hat) but if the ball has not been put in play its no pitch, if the ball is live and if the catcher steps out and he throws,  its a balk - but thats not what the original question was about.   

??? from above - all fielders except catcher must be in the field of play by the time the pitcher makes his first movement if they are not it is a balk.  However wrong that is - - the ball cannot be put into play until all fielders are in fair territory and the catcher must be in his box - if not and he throws its no pitch because they ball is deeeeeed.

[Rich Ives]

No penalty - it's no pitch. 

He can do what he wants (plant flowers, throw his hat) but if the ball has not been put in play its no pitch, if the ball is live and if the catcher steps out and he throws,  its a balk - but thats not what the original question was about.   

??? from above - all fielders except catcher must be in the field of play by the time the pitcher makes his first movement if they are not it is a balk.  However wrong that is - - the ball cannot be put into play until all fielders are in fair territory and the catcher must be in his box - if not and he throws its no pitch because they ball is deeeeeed.

 

No one said time had been called. Read the OP. The ball could still be in play. What then?

[noumpere]

No penalty - it's no pitch. 

He can do what he wants (plant flowers, throw his hat) but if the ball has not been put in play its no pitch, if the ball is live and if the catcher steps out and he throws,  its a balk - but thats not what the original question was about.   

??? from above - all fielders except catcher must be in the field of play by the time the pitcher makes his first movement if they are not it is a balk.  However wrong that is - - the ball cannot be put into play until all fielders are in fair territory and the catcher must be in his box - if not and he throws its no pitch because they ball is deeeeeed.

So try this.  All fielders are in foul territory.  Ball is made live.  Now, F3 stands completely in foul territory to hold onR1.  F5 does the same for R3.  F4 goes behind the catcher to back up for a wild pitch.  F9 goes near the first base dugout to back up for a wild throw on a pickoff to first.  F7 does the same at the third base dugout.  Now F1 delivers a pitch.  Ruling?  Are you saying it's no pitch and no penalty?  Just trying to clarify.

[Rich Ives]

From the MLBUM on appeal plays:

 

All fielders other than the catcher must be in fair territory to start an appeal play after "Time"
has been called. If a fielder (other than the catcher) is in foul territory, the umpire should not
put the ball in play. If the umpire inadvertently does so, there is no penalty (specifically, this
is not a balk), nor would such action nullify a subsequent appeal attempt on the same runner
once the ball is properly put back in play. A fielder may go onto foul territory to back up an
appeal play after the ball has been put in play.

[bluegorilla]

Eject the offender immediately !

[UMP4LIFE99]

im talking about before the ball is pitched not once the ball is in play

[Rich Ives]

im talking about before the ball is pitched not once the ball is in play

 

Being put in play as described above means having the umpire declare "play" to make the ball live after it became dead.

[mstaylor]

The purpose of this rule is to prevent a fielder from stationing themselves in foul territory for the purpose of backing up an appeal play or potential wild pitch.

Should they violate the rule, you instruct them to move to fair territory. Until they comply, the ball is not put in play. Should they refuse to comply, guess what? *snap*

If they choose to start fair and go foul once play commences, so be it.

24 is correct, it is to keep placing a player to back up the catcher or one of the corner fielders. What it is not intended to deal with is a corner infielder holding a runner and having one foot in foul. If a manager complains, fix it but it is not a balk. 

[jpperez14]

If the runner is leading off and he has a foot outside of the line to hold the runner on, let it go and play baseball. that 1 foot in foul territory is not going to give him any advantage over anything. normally when the pitcher pitches the ball he moves into the field of play anyways. I hate when coaches try to nick pick things and also try to say its a balk.