Is it a balk?

[tonyd]

Here is a balk question I have. First this is 13 and 14 year olds in a little league Junior game. Runner on first with a right handed pitcher. pitcher throws to first without stepping off the rubber. 1st baseman misses the ball and it goes out of play. runner is awarded second base, only one base. Umpire told me only one base because the pitcher did not step off which would make him an infielder. I argued that you cannot throw to first without stepping off??

If you dont have to step off as a right handed pitcher than what would prevent you from lifting your front leg then swinging around to throw to first?

Thanks for the answers

[tjthresh]

A RH pitcher may turn on his pivot foot to go to 1B. He does not have to step off.

Lifting the front foot is beginning the pitching motion.

[Pops]

A RH pitcher may turn on his pivot foot to go to 1B. He does not have to step off.

Lifting the front foot is beginning the pitching motion.

The pitcher also has to step toward the base with his non-pivot foot, so the left foot is moving. It's moving toward 1B, not the plate. The term "lifting" is a bit confusing, because he could lift it an inch off the ground as long as he moves it in the right direction.

[tonyd]

Confusing because we teach in stealing to go on first movement of the front (lead foot) lifting an inch would lead a runner to think he is going to the plate. The purpose of the balk rule is to not decieve runners. Being around the game along time I was always under the impression you had to step off to go to first.

I cannot be the only one that thought this??

[tjthresh]

The pitcher also has to step toward the base with his non-pivot foot, so the left foot is moving. It's moving toward 1B, not the plate. The term "lifting" is a bit confusing, because he could lift it an inch off the ground as long as he moves it in the right direction.

Yeah, I was thinking of a big kick, but most pitchers will use a slide step these days. It really is all about direction.

[noumpere]

Confusing because we teach in stealing to go on first movement of the front (lead foot) lifting an inch would lead a runner to think he is going to the plate. The purpose of the balk rule is to not decieve runners. Being around the game along time I was always under the impression you had to step off to go to first.

I cannot be the only one that thought this??

No, you're not the only one. It's one of the biggest myths.

And, the purpose of the balk rule is not what you stated. It's really to balance offense and defense, but I give credit for "is to not ILLEGALLY decieve (sic) runners." That extra word makes all the difference.

[Mr Umpire]

A RHP does not have to step off before throwing to 1B. In fact, spin moves and jab steps are considered to be pickoff moves while still in contact with the rubber for purposes of where to place runners on wild throws.

A RHP can lift his free foot and turn toward 1B. As long as he makes no movement which commits him to the plate. Lifting his free foot straight up does not commit him to the plate. He can lift it and move it towards 1B without being committed to HP. Very difficult to do but is possible. There is nothing in the rule book to prevent it but simple physics makes it hard.

This part is definitely hard to explain. If his free foot goes toward HP, then he is committed to HP. If he simply lifts his free foot (and even bends the knee up to his waist), he is not committed to HP. Which is why a RHP has an advantage to 3B and LHP has an advantage to 1B. Nothing is committed yet.

Now, upon lifting his free foot, he simply turns his front hip toward 1B and makes no movement toward HP. This is perfectly legal and not a balk. Doing so with his knee at his waist and then turning will get a balk from every umpire (probably) b/c that looks like a move to the plate. It does to me.

Again, all of this is easier to show rather than explain. I'm sure everyone will have some issue with this description b/c of its difficulty.

The simple answer is a RHP can lift his free foot first and still throw to 1B as long as he does nothing to commit himself to HP.

There are many purposes to balks. Mainly not to gain an unfair advantage. Just to keep the defense and offense on equal terms. But, the purpose of a balk is NOT to prevent deception. Deception is part of the game. That is the main purpose for a pickoff, fake bunt, runner bluffs, and any other kind of deception possible.

I know runners are taught to go on first movement. It is a risk b/c waiting to see if a pitcher is committed or not, takes too long. Runners will never make it to the base. But, just b/c something is taught a certain way, doesn't make it risk proof. The main 2 reasons it is taught that way is: Waiting takes too long, and Most pitchers don't know they can do that (ironically, many umpires don't know either).

Until a pitcher is committed to a certain base or HP, they are free to do as they please with their free foot as long as it is within the rules.

[tonyd]

Thanks for the long explanation. my thought would be if you lift the front leg and pivot to first it would like like you are going to the plate. you would have to swing your raised leg to the left and I would think you are attempting to go to the plate?? By swinging you would not be able to tell if he is delivering or going to first? Thanks for the posts

[Umpire in Chief]

First welcome to the group.

If he lifts his non-pivot foot he can step in the direction of first and deliver a throw. But he must deliver the throw, he can not feint. Just as a lefty would. If he doesn't deliver the throw it would be a balk.

The second part of your situation is the base award. This too is a common rule myth.

If the pitcher stays engaged w/ the rubber it will be 1 base.

If he steps off to throw then it would be a two base award.

[calablue]

I have a NCAA rulebook ( 2009/2010 ) rule 9.3.c.1 that contains the statement

" The pitcher is committed, upon raising the lead leg, to throw to the base being faced, to second base or to the plate." The rule contains more but that statement is exactly as written. This is college however,they seem to make up their own rules as they see fit.:rollinglaugh: I guess they're saying that he must spin or use a jump move to throw to a base that is behind him.

Edited April 16, 2010 by calablue

[noumpere]

I have a NCAA rulebook ( 2009/2010 ) rule 9.3.c.1 that contains the statement

" The pitcher is committed, upon raising the lead leg, to throw to the base being faced, to second base or to the plate."

That statement applies to all codes.

If the leg is lifted at all toward the balance point, RH F1 can't throw to first. If the foot just comes off the ground (as it must) as part of the opeing the hips and turning to throw, RH F1 can throw to first.