Bizarre pitching move

[cbiesecker]

I never saw this before. Wasn't sure how to handle it.

12U 46/60 (no leads and local rules are to inform coach of balks, but no penalties) OBR. F1 has been a bit wild, runner is now on base, coach tells F1 to slow down. F1 is off the rubber, takes throw back from the catcher and puts the ball in his throwing hand. While engaging the rubber he puts his throwing hand out behind him as if in mid-throw. He stands still like this for a second, then lifts his free foot, and pitches. I tell the coach that F1 can't do that and he needs to bring his hands together before starting his pitching motion.

After the game I check 8.01. When pitching from the set position F1 is required to bring his hands together. When pitching from the wind-up there doesn't appear to be that same requirement. Now I'm not so sure about what I told the coach.

[sdix00]

I believe this is where the OBR is poorly written and fails to clearly distinguish the set from the windup.

From your description, I might interpret the pitcher's initial motion as a stretch, in which case he is required to come set.

If I interpret that motion to be a bona-fide throwing motion, then I will require him to complete the pitch without interruption or alteration.

Either way, that's a balk.

[umpcoachfather]

Easy - pregame no balk penalties. the game will be 27 hours long for this game if you told the coach every time (maybe, depending on talent.) why tell them each time? your not an instructor. If you call the balk each time and dont enforce your going to distract the players. I hate modified rules. Oh A plays B but since its tuesday and A is home they are allowed to bat out of order. Safety rules yes but "pure" rules no, they hurt umpires.Balks at 12, the coaches dont know why call it????????

[semper_fi_72]

Unless there is a penalty to enforce I won't be calling Balks.

I am not a Pitching Coach, I am a Umpire.

Sounds like another stupid local rule made by those who don't know anything about baseball.

[umpcoachfather]

Sounds like another stupid local rule made by those who don't know anything about baseball.

INDEEEEEEEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are killing the game. My favorite, U10, they dont keep score, all bat, 1 base at a time for all hits, but they do let you continue on bads throws. They asked me to Ump those when my boys played, I deferred "No thanks, I only work baseball games"

[cbiesecker]

I agree about the rule. I'm not thrilled about it either. I handle it by saying something simple like "He can't do that. He has to bring his hands together before pitching." In most case I talk to the coach between innings. In this case, I told the coach after the batter had gotten a base hit. There is an instructional additude at these 40/60 games. Since my kid came up through these games and benefitted from them, I don't mind helping out.

But back to my original OP. Is this move a balk if it can be argued that F1 is pitching from the wind-up. When pitching from the set, yes, its a balk.

[Mike Prince]

In the windup, there's no rule language prohibiting what you describe but any movement of that pitching hand before he moves the free foot/starts his motion should be a balk.

[sdix00]

I forgot to say, since this is 46/60 with no leadoffs and balk warnings only, I would pretty much let everything go. Since there is no penalty, there is nothing for us to do.

In LL, we are to assess a Ball for 11 of the 13 balkable offenses, but we rarely do. Since there are no lead-offs, there is really no advantage.

Semper is right, issuing warnings is akin to coaching and that isn't our job.

[noumpere]

In the windup, there's no rule language prohibiting what you describe but any movement of that pitching hand before he moves the free foot/starts his motion should be a balk.

Really? because some would say theres not even a requirement to step to the plate in order to pitch. Its stupid of course not to step especially at the pro level where the rules are written for.

But I dont have a balk in the play as described in the first post.

[Mike Prince]

In the windup, there's no rule language prohibiting what you describe but any movement of that pitching hand before he moves the free foot/starts his motion should be a balk.

Really? because some would say theres not even a requirement to step to the plate in order to pitch. Its stupid of course not to step especially at the pro level where the rules are written for.

But I dont have a balk in the play as described in the first post.

True, perhaps not a balk but certainly not a move which makes sense yet is common at the youth/closed base level. I had a pitcher the other night get into the windup position by holding the ball out in front of him (sort of aiming it at the plate) and then bringing it into his glove in front of him before coming to the plate. Similar situation with closed bases and no balks.

Given the OP and circumstances, I agree with previous posts, let them play...

These scenarios are uncommon at best in the higher levels where balks actually are called/enforced.