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I am kind of confused as to when it is a balk when a pitcher fakes a throw to first base with a runner on first. Could someone explain: is it always a balk if you fake a throw to first as your initial move or is this ever acceptable and if so, under what scenarios?

FED Rules: Two situations: 1) From the set position a pitcher starts his stretch and comes to a stop with his non-pivot foot, but the hands continue to move from shoulders down to waist (either in a smooth motion or a jerky motion), then he moves his non-pivot foot a second time towards the rubber. Finally coming to a stop before delivering to the plate. Does anyone consider this a balk? Why or why not? 2) Same as above example, except instead of moving his non-pivot foot a second time towards the rubber, he moves it slightly towards home plate before coming to a stop before delivering to the plate. Does anyone consider this a balk? Why or why not? If you look at FED Rule 6-1-3, part of what it discusses that might be relevant is, "He shall go to the set position without interruption and in one continuous motion. He shall come to a complete and discernible stop ( a change of direction is not considered an acceptable stop) with the ball in both hands in front of the body and his glove at or below his chin. Natural preliminary motions such as only one stretch may be made. During these preliminary motions and during the set position until a delivery motion occurs, the pitcher may turn on his pivot foot or lift it in a jump turn to step with the non-pivot foot toward a base while throwing or feinting as outlined in 6-2-4 and 2-28-5, or he may lift his pivot foot in a step backward off the pitchers plate." Would it be accurate to describe the non-pivot foot movement as starting again after stopping or stretching a second time and this is where we would get a balk call from?

I watched the first outing for M. Tanaka of the Yankees on Saturday. I'm a big Yankees fan so I was very excited to see what he's got against MLB hitters. BUT my initial take away was that it looks like he comes close to balking when he's in the stretch. He appears to come set twice. Once at his belt and then again at his chest. If I was doing a high school game and had a kid do this, I would probably be inclined to want to call it. You guys think he gets away with it because his name is Tanaka? I've got it on video and will try to post Ina few minutes. I was surprised no one else has caught this yet.

Hey all, I know Referee Magazine has been wrong many times in the past, but can someone confirm that the answer given in this quiz for OBR is incorrect? a. Legal advance. b. The ball is dead when F1 balks. c. R1 may advance no farther than second and R2 may advance no farther than third. d. B3 is out. Answer given: 3. - NFHS - b (5-1-k); NCAA, pro - c, d (NCAA pro 8.05 Pen) In this case, for OBR, you allow the play to continue, but once the ball is caught, time should be called and the balk must be enforced because the BR did not advance on the play. The balk can only be ignored if all runners, including the BR, advance at least one base. C seems correct since the result is to enforce the balk, but D is not correct since B3 is not out. He should return to bat with the same count as before the balk. Is this right, or have I suffered an aneurysm?

almost looks like it hurts....that's one heck of a knee buckle.........   http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=29862577&query=balk

When pitching from the stretch/set position a pitcher may pick up and put down his lead foot once. In my son's U13 league, the umps allow the pitchers to use a rocker step with and without base runners although they are clearly in the set position. This happens almost EVERY game - very frustrating. Also, my understanding is that what is a balk with base runners is an illegal pitch (ball) without runners aboard. Please comment. Thank You

LL Junior Sectional game last night. 4 man crew and I am on the plate. With R3, F1 is in the windup. He steps back with his pivot foot and raises his arms as if to pitch. I see this, run it through my mind once, then twice. I wonder why nobody else called it. By this time I am wondering if it's been too long to call the balk. I decide no, it hasn't been too long and call it and score R3. Coach comes out and says, "He stepped off. Can you get help on that?" I say, "No, I don't need to get help and here's why. Yes, he did step off, but by raising his hands like he did, he was simulating a pitch while off the rubber and that's a balk." Then he said, "Why'd it take so long for you to call it?" I told him it was not very common and I had to think it through before calling it, but that it definitely was a balk. He then asked if I could explain to F1 what he did and I simply told F1, "you simulated a pitch off the rubber." It definitely caught me by surprise, but this balk was discussed here at U-E which prepared me for the call. It just took a few seconds to kick in. I was surprised that I was the ONLY one there to know this one. Literally not one player, coach or fan uttered a peep when it happened. It was kind of surreal.

Question: This is the exact verbage from OBR Rule 8.02: 8.02 The pitcher shall not— (a) (1) While in the 18-foot circle surrounding the pitcher’s plate, touch the ball after touching his mouth or lips, or touch his mouth or lips while he is in contact with the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher must clearly wipe the fingers of his pitching hand dry before touching the ball or the pitcher’s plate. EXCEPTION: Provided it is agreed to by both managers, the umpire prior to the start of a game played in cold weather, may permit the pitcher to blow on his hand. PENALTY: For violation of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately remove the ball from play and issue a warning to the pitcher. Any subsequent violation shall be called a ball. However, if the pitch is made and a batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a hit batsman or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation. Repeat offenders shall be subject to a fine by the League President. If I interpret this correctly, this would mean we could kill this before the pitch, warn, and/or award a ball if it was a repeat violation, correct? Are there any circumstances, short of no runners on base, that would cause us to let the pitch continue? It just seems like it is best to kill it before a pitch is made to avoid more argument(s) and confusion.

Ok ... Second [and final] game of our tourney yesterday, ...my dish ........   We call the coaches in and introduce ourselves ....   I start in with the tournaments rules which is a mish-mash of OBR, FED, and the tourney company's own rules.   The first thing I say is, we're playing this tournament with OBR pitching/balk rules which means the feint to 3rd is a balk, which in turn makes the "Third to First" move also a balk.  Before I get it out of my mouth the VT coach says "that's outlawed" .... reconfirming, ...."yes sir" I say, ..."that's a balk" .....   Meeting concludes and fast forward to the bottom of the 3rd inning.  VT is getting pounded and coach finally gets a pitcher that can find the plate.  R1, R3,...and what does F1 do?    YEP, .... he feints to 3rd and runs R3 back....  "that's a balk ...time!" my partner and I yell out in unison as we point to the infraction....F1: "no it's not!" Again in unison my partner and I say " yes it is" ...and we point / direct the runners to their bases.   I turn to go back to the plate, my partner (because F1 asked him what happened) explains the new balk rule....  as I make my way back to the plate....sure enough .....here comes the VT coach .... "blue, sir, ....why was that a balk" ....... me:  "well, it's a feint to 3rd base, that's a balk in this tournament because we're using OBR pitching rules like I said in the plate meeting"  .... coach: "ok, but he didn't try to throw to first?"      Me: "I know, ... the 'no feint to third' balk, makes the 3rd to 1st move a balk ......  coach " OHHH.... I didnt' know that, let me go tell him"   Me: Coach, that'll be a visit if you do, my partner just discussed it with him"  coach: sighs...."ok, ok ...I won't go talk to him"   NOW .... let's review kids,....what was the first thing we discussed at the plate meeting?!   Lesson:  Coaches don't listen and /or only hear what they want to hear!

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=27240605&topic_id=9780550&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_27240605&v=3  

Let me start off by saying that I now know after a talk with my assignor all the correct rules and ways to handle this should it happen again. I'm aware I kicked it and am ready for the firing squad. Score is 2-1 in favor of the VT. Bottom 3rd 1 out runner on 3rd. Pitcher is in the windup and picks off to third which starts a rundown between 3rd and home. I immediately called balk and awarded home. At that point the pitcher comes to me and says "Blue, I stepped off!" The DC walks over and is animated, but not bad also saying he stepped off. I confer with my partner who corrects me saying he had the step off and there was no balk. I then attempt to put the runner back at 3rd to correct the mistake balk. Then the OC comes out to argue. At that point my partner pulls me aside and says "you can't correct the balk call." For the record, I thought you could correct balk calls, but I let my partner talk me out of what I thought was right. We confer with the coaches and let them know that the balk call stands and cannot be corrected (I know I said it) and that we will resume play with the score 2-2 and the batter has a 2-1 count. Neither coach says anything and we split. I look up to the scorekeeper to make sure he heard that the run stands while everyone is getting back to position. I turn around to take my position behind the plate when the DC starts yelling "you said the runner goes back to third! You need to put the runner back!" To that I say "no coach, we've already said...." and he cuts me off and fires into a rant about how I never said anything about not correcting the call to him. and he pokes me in the chest. Strike 1. I let him chew for a minute because at the time I knew I kicked it and he deserved his say. He said "You never once told me that you couldn't correct the balk!" When i tried to respond he cut me off again. Strike 2. I said "If you cut me off again I'm going to toss you." At that point he poked me again in and chest and BOOM strike 3 sir you are outta here! He ranted and raved as he walked out and once he was gone we resumed play and the HT won 3-2 in 5 innings (we had a 1:45 time limit). Thoughts? If you want to ream my stupidity, have at it I know i deserve it.

So here is a related question to the topic brought up in this thread: Pickoff from the Windup Is it possible to be in the windup and attempt a pickoff to 2nd? The comment on the rule states that the pitcher may "step and throw to a base." Is that even possible to 2nd? If so, how?

Apologies in advance for the long-winded post: Background Info: So, a couple of years ago, I read in OBR that a pickoff attempt from the windup is legal. This blew my mind since I nor anyone I've ever asked about it has seen it employed. Everyone assumes a pitcher on the rubber in the windup must disengage to attempt a pickoff, but that is simply not true per OBR 8.0.1 (a). Rule 8.01(a) Comment: In the Windup Position, a pitcher is permitted to have his “free†foot on the rubber, in front of the rubber, behind the rubber or off the side of the rubber. From the Windup Position, the pitcher may: (1) deliver the ball to the batter, or (2) step and throw to a base in an attempt to pick-off a runner, or (3) disengage the rubber (if he does he must drop his hand to his sides). In disengaging the rubber the pitcher must step off with his pivot foot and not his free foot first. He may not go into a set or stretch position—if he does it is a balk. Also, there is this: © At any time during the pitcher’s preliminary movements and until his natural pitching motion commits him to the pitch, he may throw to any base provided he steps directly toward such base before making the throw. Rule 8.01© Comment: The pitcher shall step “ahead of the throw.†A snap throw followed by the step directly toward the base is a balk. So, very clearly, it is legal. Why it is never seen, I don't know, but because it is never seen it should work; however, it is equally likely to be ruled incorrectly for the very same reason. Questions: 1) Playing in 12U Cal Ripken. What it is the proper etiquette for alerting the umps that we may try this during a game? Should I approach in a pre-game conversation? I don't think an in game argument will go my way if he calls a balk (assuming our pitcher otherwise executes the move correctly). 2) I have recorded videos of one of our pitchers working on it in practice. The first shows his normal motion from the windup. In the other two, you will see pickoff attempts to first from the windup. In one, Camden brings his hands together. I believe doing so is not a part of his "natural motion," as he has to pause here before pitching. Thus his next movement, a step back, is actually the beginning of his natural pitching motion. As such, a pickoff attempt from this position (hands together) should be legal. In the second of these two, Camden never brings his hands together. He steps on the rubber, pauses (to give runner time to move off of the base), brings his pitching hand and ball to his ear (in what looks like him scratching his head), then he steps and throws to first. I like this move better, as it positions the ball in a throwing position before making the pickoff attempt, thereby giving him an added advantage. This, too, should be legal according to OBR rules. Would like your feedback on each. (Note: these are not moves we have practiced and there is lots of room for polishing them up; we just did a quick shoot after practice tonight.) Here are the links: 1) Throwing Home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC46vjqiQXg 2) Pickoff to First (hands "set"): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdyEgTmf_5U (really, just the first attempt shows hands set) 3) Pickoff to First (hands not "set"): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qEVGP9F8KU Thanks, Jim

Had a JV game yesterday. I had the Dish. First batter gets a base hit. Second batter comes up. F1 Double Sets. I call a Balk. Coach comes out. Coach: Rolo, what did he do? Me: Bruce, he double set Coach: That's his normal routine. He double sets all the time. Me: I will call it everytime Coach: That's a bunch of crap. If he does it all the time then it is ok. Me: Not with me behind the plate. Coach goes back to dugout.

Called my first balk tonight. FED rules, with R2, the pitcher was in contact with the rubber and went to his mouth. He did it twice, the first time i warned him and the second time I balked him. No one argued and play resumed as normal.

OBR says: In the first video, F1 does not disengage, and attempts a pickoff of R1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGN7fjbw9n8 In the second video, F1 persists. R1 happens to be a speedy guy, playing for a team known for swiping bases. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kSvZ2JiwHWg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> At this time, BalkHawk declared, "that's a balk!" from the stands, and awarded R1 advance to 2nd base, however the MLB umpire crew never echoed the call. I like to think the baseball gods were in favor of calling both 8.05© balks, hence, the final video: http://youtu.be/HE_09KaG_PE I tried three different ways to get the player to show instead of the link. If somebody knows how, share please.

You don't see this every day. http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=25008499&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_25008499&v=3

It was a 13U Wood Bat tourney in a converted cow pasture (a "Field of Dreams" practice facility behind a house), OBR/USSSA. We got one game in, then had to end it after an inning in the second due to rain. Afterwards, we were collecting our game checks in a huge shed where many of the players, coaches, and parents were waiting out the storm. My partner asks me if I had seen what the pitcher had been doing with the ball. My reply was somewhat noncommittal so he proceeded to show me (and everybody) what "should have been" a balk. The RH pitcher, on the rubber before coming set, was solidly pinning the ball against his thigh with his wrist, and he went through an elaborate example of it. Quickly running through OBR Pitching in my head, I told him that I had seen it, but I didn't believe that it was a balk. He said that the ball had to be in the hand or the glove, and at "the clinic", he was told that this was a balk. Seeing a coach nearby, he told him, "Hey, your pitcher was doing this (shows him). That's supposed to be a balk." Again, mentally skimming through OBR... and later with a hardcopy... I didn't have it. (I know that FED says "glove or hand"). The coach looked completely confused and simply said, "You'd think he'd want the ball in his hand." My partner replied that "if it isn't, that's a balk." Question: In OBR or FED, is that a balk to you? To me, no. Thoughts?

So MLB has decided to speed up the game and get rid of the third to first move. Rules have yet to be published however so now we have all of the different associations handling it differently. Pony says follow OBR, USSSA is treating third as first and allowing no fakes to third. Fed will undoubtedly react next year. The question that I have is, if the pitcher steps to third and doesn't throw, at what point can he make a play on R1? What a mess. If anyone has seen the OBR language please post. Season has started in the Pacific Northwest and we need the rule.

Ok. JV double header last night. In the second game (I'm BU). VT F1 is going to his mouth, but clearly wiping it off, clearly, without question. My concern was that he was close to the rubber, but was NOT on the rubber. Again, clearly hasn't stepped on his plate to get ready, but standing behind it. Now ... HC (coaching 3rd) says something to my partner, and I hear him (quietly) say "that's a balk". But, I don't have him on the plate, and I clearly have him wiping off. Going to the rule book I find 6-2-1 illegal acts: e) bringing the pitching hand in contact w/ teh mouth without distinclty wiping off the pitching hand before it touches the ball. AND ... 6-2-4...Balk .... c) making an illegal pitch from any position (6-21, 6-2-1a-d) NOT 'e' ...it says nothing about 'e'. QUESTIONS: 1. is it not a balk when a pitcher goes to his mouth w/ runners on base if he doesn't wipe off? 2) a pitcher can't go to his mouth while on the rubber, period? Correct? W/ no runners on 'ball', w/ ...balk ....correct? IF SO, I can't find it.......... ON EDIT: I just found it in the CASE BOOK, ...6.2.1 situation b cites 6-1-3, but 6-1-3 doesn't say anything about hand to mouth... ON EDIT AGAIN: Is the PENALTY NOTE at the bottom of Art. 3 referencing you to the "illegal pitch" section 6-2-1? If so, then fine ...

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21720141&c_id=mlb Was looking at some balk videos on MLB. This was a no balk, but I'm pretty sure he balk at LEAST once, probably twice. Did he go to his mouth while on the rubber? Then clearly no stop. Anyone know if this protest was even looked at, or did Detroit win?

Yesterday morning we were doing a tournament game that included a team from Windsor, Ontario. We had had the team the day before and they got skunked (mercy in 5), but yesterday they were playing better. The odd thing was, my partner was confronted by the Riverside coach because he was claiming that a pitcher HAD TO DISENGAGE backwards in order to make a move to first??? He was also barking about the fact that the pitcher (14u by the way) did a spin move to 2nd base via turning towards first. No hesitation, straight to second, but he spun to his let (RHP). Obviously he's never seen that before. I thought he was going to get ran, but my partner kept him in the game due to the tournament, etc, etc. Strange situation...

R3, RHP comes set. As he raises his left foot to pick, R3 breaks for home. No throw to F5. Without disengaging, F1 picks up his left foot, steps and throws to F2. Balk or Legal?

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21507093&topic_id=8879838&c_id=mlb

I am relatively new to this and was working a game this past Sunday.I thought I made this call right but now not sure because I haven't been able to find a reference in the FED rule book. Sit: Ri and R2, F1 goes into stretch with the ball, while straddling the rubber. Then, while still straddling the rubber comes into a set position. I balked him advanced the runners one base. After discussion with the DEF coach about wether it was a balk or not my partner ended up overruling me. This of course ticked me off to no end but that's a different story. Can anyone help me out? Is it a balk, and why?