case book balk question

[Richvee]

6.1.3 SITUATION E

With R1 on first, F1 receives the ball from F2 and with his feet in set position stance and in contact with the pitcher's plate .... b. removes the ball from his glove.

RULING: This is a balk in b. Restrictions on F1's movements begin when he intentionally contacts the pitcher's plate with his pivot foot.

I see this a lot. The kid will get the ball from F2, step on the rubber, then basically in one continuous motion, take the ball out of the glove, and lean in for their sign. From there, everything is fine. He'll get his sign, stretch, come set and deliver a pitch.

Should I be balking this? I haven't seen anyone else call it.

If he's leaning in for a sign in the pre set position with the ball ball in his glove and then takes the ball out I've got a balk all day.

I understand the pitching regulations start when he intentionally contacts the rubber, but is this reading too much into the rule? Is it called at Varsity and higher and not lower levels?

[sdix00]

I do not understand this ruling. What is the balk? What rule has F1 violated by removing the ball from his glove? How does this differ from a momentary adjustment.

Good post.

[yawetag]

Partner today balked a kid for this today -- after warning him two other times.

Personally, if it's done before he goes into the stretch, I'm ignoring it. Once he's in the stretch, though, it's a balk.

[Jimurray]

I do not understand this ruling. What is the balk? What rule has F1 violated by removing the ball from his glove? How does this differ from a momentary adjustment.

Good post.

It's FED. A lot of FED umpires are not OBR savvy. This is a balk they can call with confidence due to the rule and the caseplay. When I get chirps about not calling it I say momentary adjustment. I educate those who I can. BTW, a lot of the guys who call this stuff don't call real balks. I think it is an experience, confidence thing.

[BT_Blue]

By rule he can not separate his hands. This is separating his hands and should be called.... especially at the varsity level.

[ukce1861]

By rule he can not separate his hands. This is separating his hands and should be called.... especially at the varsity level.

But by rule, he can make a "momentary adjustment". How is this different?

[catsbackr]

Deception?

[Rich Ives]

Deception is legal if done within the rules.

[ukce1861]

Deception?

I think it depends on how it's done. As I'm envisioning this, the pitcher's in the set position (pre-stretch). The catcher throws it to the pitcher and he immediately removes it from his glove. No one is deceived by this. Now, if the pitcher stands there for a while and takes his signs, and then removes the ball from his glove, I could see the deception argument - and thus the balk call. Especially if the removal of the ball was accompanied with any other body movements. Hope I'm describing what I'm seeing in my mind's eye...

[noumpere]

By rule he can not separate his hands. This is separating his hands and should be called.... especially at the varsity level.

But by rule, he can make a "momentary adjustment". How is this different?

Not in HS rules he cant make a momentary adjustment. And while the rule says intentionally contacts the pitchers plate it isnt meant to be interpreted literally. Give him a chance to be settled. So if the movement is all part of the settlement that he takes the ball out its legal. But once hes settled then removing the ball is a balk and should be called.

[sdix00]

It may be significant here that this phrase does not exist in the FED rules.

Umpires should bear in mind that the purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. If there is doubt in the umpire’s mind, the “intent†of the pitcher should govern.

[noumpere]

On the contrary I think the phraze should be strucken out from the pro book.