Balk/ Line Out

[Guest Confused]

R1 1 out. F1, pitcher, balks (Does not come set) and continues to deliver his pitch towards the plate. The batter gives a poor attempt at a sing, probably because he is confused by the balk call. F3 catches the line drive and he steps on first to double him up. The umpire ruled this as a double play because if the batter hits the ball, the runner has to tag up apparently. I'm confused what is the rule on this?

[KLAH316]

Which ruleset?

[NoCal Blue]

Ruleset your playing under?????

[VAUmp]

NFHS:  A balk is an immediate dead ball.  It doesn't matter if the batter hits it to the moon or hits into a quadruple play.  The ball is DEAD and the balk enforced.

 

OBR:  The manager of the offensive team has a choice on whether to accept the balk or accept the results of the play.  In this case, since they got doubled up, I would assume the manager would accept the balk penalty and move the runner to second.

 

The umpire in this really screwed this play up.  I hope a protest was lodged. 

[mstaylor]

OBR-It is a delayed dead ball, if all runners advance at least a base and the BR makes at least first, then the balk is ignored. If all these conditions aren't met then enforce the balk and bring the batter back with the same count. 

Fed: Immediate dead ball, enforce the balk. 

[mstaylor]

NFHS:  A balk is an immediate dead ball.  It doesn't matter if the batter hits it to the moon or hits into a quadruple play.  The ball is DEAD and the balk enforced.

 

OBR:  The manager of the offensive team has a choice on whether to accept the balk or accept the results of the play.  In this case, since they got doubled up, I would assume the manager would accept the balk penalty and move the runner to second.

 

The umpire in this really screwed this play up.  I hope a protest was lodged. 

Negative VA, no choice on the balk, enforce it or not depending on the conditions. 

[kristoffae]

Choice is not an option on a balk in OBR. Either all runners including the BR advance one base and the balk is ignored or if that doesnt happen then the balk is enforced and R1 goes to second and BR remains at bat with the same count. As to the OP, regardless of rule set, that guy screwed the pooch.

[VAUmp]

You're right.  I stand corrected

[mstaylor]

CIs get confused with balks, not a problem. To further confuse the issue, LL created the IP in 60ft. It is essentially a ball for anything that normally be a balk in 90ft. The problem is there is an option to take the ball or the play. 

[VAUmp]

I was looking at the rule 8.02-6iii - 

 

This deals with a pitcher defacing the ball and then delivering it.

[Guest Guest]

Sorry we us OBR

[Guest Steve]

Hi....My son(Pitcher - Pony League)is getting called on Balk's with pick off moves to second and third.....let me explain. His natural motion is pitching from the set position. He stands on the third base side of the pitching rubber (right hand pitcher), free foot directly in front of pivot foot....hand and ball in glove at chest...takes a step back with free foot...raises knee...and throws.

On pick off plays he does the exact same motion...if going to 2nd, when his knee is raised...will turn step towards 2nd and throw. If going to 3rd, when knee is raised will step towards 3rd and throw....both leading to a balk. The umpire states that because of his step back from set..before the throw...he can only pitch to home...nothing else. Is this the rule?? Ive read the mlb official rules for pitchers and balk and cant find a specific rule stating that?? Thanks for your help

[Aging_Arbiter]

Sounds to me like he's trying to use the wind up, from the SET position.  Sorry, too early, no coffee yet, but can't picture anything else based on this description. 

 

BALK MASTERS......WHAT SAY YE~!??!

[mstaylor]

That is incorrect. First, get his hands down until he sets. When he brings his leg back to set, he sets his hands. Any time in the process of coming set, or after he sets, he can step to either third or second. He can also feint but you have to check on your league to see if feints to third are legal. 

[mstaylor]

Sounds to me like he's trying to use the wind up, from the SET position.  Sorry, too early, no coffee yet, but can't picture anything else based on this description. 

 

BALK MASTERS......WHAT SAY YE~!??!

Good call AA, you may be correct, if so then he can still step to a base but for a RH pitcher it is very tough to do without balking. It is much easier to do to first. Either way, the OP needs to read 8.01 A and B. 

[MPLSMatt]

Steve, it's hard to picture but it does sound like a wind up motion from the set position.  It sounds like he's making two motions after coming set, a step back and then a step toward a base.  That's a balk as once a pitcher is set he is allowed one move.  Also, whether it's part of his regular motion (or similar to it) is irrelevant when calling balks.   

[noumpere]

Sounds to me like he's trying to use the wind up, from the SET position.  Sorry, too early, no coffee yet, but can't picture anything else based on this description. 

 

BALK MASTERS......WHAT SAY YE~!??!

That's how I read it too and I'd also have a balk.  But the description isn't very clear from an umpire's standpoint.  I also read into it that multiple umpires are calling it so I'd guess it is a balk and that the poster could talk to the coach and have the coach seek clarification from the umpires.  Given the ages involved and depending on the league protocol and what usually happens they might get a little bit of a pitching lesson from the umpires.

[mstaylor]

OK, now that we have determined that he is using a wind-up from the set we can address how to fix it. The problem is in closed bases baseball they are allowed to do this, I really wish the rulemakers would change that, but it teaches pitchers to pitch incorrectly, then they have to adjust at 13. If he wants to pitch from the stretch all the time, that is fine but he has to lose the step back. He takes the same stance, with his hands at his sides, then comes set, meaning he brings his hands together in front of his body. Whether he moves his feet or not is irrelevant. Then he simply steps toward home and pitches. If he wants to pitch from the wind-up, which sounds like what he wants to do, he needs to square around more facing the plate. His nonpivot foot can still be in front of the rubber but I suggest he learn to get it on top, beside or behind the rubber because in HS he will be required to do so. If he learns now he won't have to change yet again. From the wind-up he can still pick to a base but he has to step directly first. If he steps back like his normal pitching motion he has to pitch. 

Read 8.01a/b to see all the requirements.