Balk ???

[crazyaboutcoues]

This should be a no brainer but I'm second guessing myself.

LL Jr's...I was in a 17 to 1 game last night and this happen, since the game was out of reach and the losing team did this I didn't call anything.

RH pitcher runner on third...Pitcher comes to set position and makes a normal pick off play to third, (brings his leg up and steps to third) but doesn't throw the ball.

Is this a Balk? :a100posts:

[UmpJM]

This should be a no brainer but I'm second guessing myself.

LL Jr's...I was in a 17 to 1 game last night and this happen, since the game was out of reach and the losing team did this I didn't call anything.

RH pitcher runner on third...Pitcher comes to set position and makes a normal pick off play to third, (brings his leg up and steps to third) but doesn't throw the ball.

Is this a Balk?

crazy,

As described, NOT a balk. An "in-contact" F1 is allowed to feint to 3B (or 2B) - all that is required is the "step.

JM

[crazyaboutcoues]

crazy,

As described, NOT a balk. An "in-contact" F1 is allowed to feint to 3B (or 2B) - all that is required is the "step.

JM

Thanks JM

I was fairly sure of this, but the OC was having a coniption:tantrum:. He said that the pitcher had to take his foot of the rubber on a feint. That made me over think it.

[mstaylor]

The two places to never get rule advice is from a coach or a TV announcer. Good no call.

[SATURDAY]

Yeah,

Its not a balk. Feinting to 3rd and 2nd are legal while in contact with the rubber.

[Ump Rube]

On a feint, doesn't F1 have to disengage as part of the throw. Meaning this...

He engages

Comes set

Steps towords 3B

Feints the throw

Pulls foot out from rubber

re-engages to start pitching again

Put another way he cannot engage, set, feint, set, pitch all without disengaging and re-engaging.

[BT_Blue]

This is right up there with a summer HS game I worked some time back. LHP on the mound jump turns to 3rd but doesnt throw.

The OHC comes out and wants me to balk the guy (I was the plate guy in a three man crew cause the assignor screwed up and sent us a third guy). He wanted me to talk to my partners and I was so shell shocked that I did just that to make sure I didnt screw up. Both base guys agreed with me and I was kicking myself after the game for going to my partner with such a stupid question.

The OHC after the game walks up to me (we have known each other for a couple years) with rule book in hand and sheepishly tells me he got it wrong. It was one of those great internal moments.