No stop from set position

[Pops]

R1 & R3. Pitcher begins his movement to the set position, but suddenly steps with his non-pivot foot toward 3B without stopping set. His pivot foot is still in contact with the rubber. OBR 8.05m says he must come stop before delivering "the pitch" but I can't find a rule to cover a throw to the base in this situation. Is this legal?

[JaxRolo]

No stop required if he throws to a base

[Guest]

No stop required if he throws to a base

Incorrect.

[mstaylor]

No stop required if he throws to a base

Incorrect.

No he's not, no stop required, a step is but not a stop.

[UmpTTS43]

No stop required if he throws to a base

Incorrect.

?

[Guest]

Apologies...mind was clearly elsewhere...yes its legal.

[Forest Ump]

No stop required if he throws to a base

Incorrect.

No he's not, no stop required, a step is but not a stop.

....and that is why timing is so important when calling this balk. Wait until he commits to the pitch before calling it. Too soon and you may get caught calling a balk when he tries a pick off move.

[JaxRolo]

Apologies...mind was clearly elsewhere...yes its legal.

I didn't think I was incorrect because I was incorrect once already this year. :rolleyes:

[Rich Ives]

No stop required if he throws to a base

Incorrect.

He is correct - no stop required on a move to a base.

[Pops]

I just want to make sure that everyone understood my original post which stated that the pitcher still had his foot on the rubber when he did not come to a complete stop and made his move to 3B. It looked so odd the other day when this happened. Is there a rule reference?

[BillB1960]

I just want to make sure that everyone understood my original post which stated that the pitcher still had his foot on the rubber when he did not come to a complete stop and made his move to 3B. It looked so odd the other day when this happened. Is there a rule reference?

You've already referenced the rule which says he must come to a stop before delivering the pitch. Since he's throwing to a base NOT delivering a pitch no stop is required but since he is in contact with the pitching plate he must step towards the base he is throwing to. I have seen pitchers do this and mentally balked them until I saw they were throwing to a base. Leftys who get very adept at this move are deadly to runners on first.

[mstaylor]

8.01b He may do three things, pitch, step to a base or step off.

[Pops]

I just want to make sure that everyone understood my original post which stated that the pitcher still had his foot on the rubber when he did not come to a complete stop and made his move to 3B. It looked so odd the other day when this happened. Is there a rule reference?

You've already referenced the rule which says he must come to a stop before delivering the pitch. Since he's throwing to a base NOT delivering a pitch no stop is required but since he is in contact with the pitching plate he must step towards the base he is throwing to. I have seen pitchers do this and mentally balked them until I saw they were throwing to a base. Leftys who get very adept at this move are deadly to runners on first.

Thanks. This makes sense.

[Pops]

8.01b He may do three things, pitch, step to a base or step off.

Thank you. I've read this rule over and over, and you have to read between the lines to really get it.

[andrew6586]

Speaking of balks, does anyone know why the ump in the Royals vs White Sox game called a balk to end the game last night?

[sdix00]

No stop required if he throws to a base

Incorrect.

No he's not, no stop required, a step is but not a stop.

....and that is why timing is so important when calling this balk. Wait until he commits to the pitch before calling it. Too soon and you may get caught calling a balk when he tries a pick off move.

As I learn balks, I use certain mechanics to prevent mistakes.

To prevent myself from balking F1 too soon, I slide my hand from the front of my knee to the side once F1 is committed to home. With my hand at my side (protecting my fingers), I know to call the balk if F1 fails to come home. I don't even think about it anymore.

It's part of a longer personal routine where I have a personal position for each pitching position (F1 straddling, F1 engaged, F1 coming set, F1 set, F1 moves from the set, F1 commits to home.) Sounds complicated, but it's all muscle memory and it helps me keep my mind from focusing on balks. If something weird happens, my body position tells me if its a balk or not.

I don't even think about it after the first couple pitches with runners on.

[mstaylor]

Speaking of balks, does anyone know why the ump in the Royals vs White Sox game called a balk to end the game last night?

If it is the one I'm thinking of, he started to come set, went back down and then stepped off. All very quick and subtle. Not one that gets called at our level, all day at the pro level.

[noumpere]

Speaking of balks, does anyone know why the ump in the Royals vs White Sox game called a balk to end the game last night?

Early dinner reservations lol

But I always teach not to watch the pros when learning about balks because most of the stuff they do to get a balk call we would let go at the younger levels (but less so at college) and they generally dont do the things that the younger pitchers do to get balks called.

[Dragon29]

Speaking of balks, does anyone know why the ump in the Royals vs White Sox game called a balk to end the game last night?

If it is the one I'm thinking of, he started to come set, went back down and then stepped off. All very quick and subtle. Not one that gets called at our level, all day at the pro level.

I've seen this twice already this season in MLB. Once about a month ago vs. Giants reliever Ramon Ramirez; don't recall the details of the other (Giants fan here, can you tell?)