Balk or not?

[Batman1262]

ORB apply here!

 

R1on first.  Pitcher takes his sign and comes set. Batter asks for time and is granted. Pitcher stays in set position. Batter Steps back in and ball put back in play. Pitcher still frozen in set position. Not a quick pitch situation! Couple seconds go by and he delivers pitch after holding set for a long time.  Never broke his hands.

 

Batter swings for strike three and coach starts screaming for a balk. I have no balk here. Coach keeps screaming and I have to warn him to get him to stop.

 

What is the correct ruling? Best I can tell there is no balk here.

 

These are college level kids playing in ORB league.

[Fittske24]

Batter asks for time and is granted.

 

The ball should never have been allowed to be put back into play.

 

8.01(b) "The set position"

Preparatory to coming to a set position, the pitcher shal have one hand on his side; from this position he shall go to his set position as defined in Rule 8.01(b) without interruption and in one continuous motion.

 

This is not a BALK unless it is deemed an atempt to quick pitch. However it should not be allowed and corrected prior to the next pitch.

[BigUmpire]

How was the ball put back in play after "Time " was called?

Did the umpire "reset" the pitcher?

[Batman1262]

I read that rule same as you did, and agree! Just wanted other opinins.  I sent the catcher out and stopped this later in the game when he started to do it again.

[JaxRolo]

I read that rule same as you did, and agree! Just wanted other opinins.  I sent the catcher out and stopped this later in the game when he started to do it again.

Don't send F2 out. Just tell him to reset!

[Batman1262]

I simply motioned the ball back into play then noticed he was still set. Confused me for a second and I went with it.  I told the catcher that I didnt want any more crap like that and then dealt with the coach.  The coach was stuck on the idea of a balk and I didn't have a balk.

 

Same kid tried it later in the game and I sent catcher out to stop it before I put it back into Play.

[Rich Ives]

How can the ball be put in play?

 

Well - the pitcher had the ball and was on the rubber. Why couldn't it?

 

Did he meet the "preparatory to coming set requirement"?

 

Yes.

 

Did he quick pitch?

 

No.

 

So where was there any violation?

[maven]

How can the ball be put in play?

 

Well - the pitcher had the ball and was on the rubber. Why couldn't it?

 

Did he meet the "preparatory to coming set requirement"?

 

Yes.

 

Did he quick pitch?

 

No.

 

So where was there any violation?

 

I have to agree. This is distinct from any issue with taking the rubber with hands together.

 

Unusual ≠ illegal.

[mrumpiresir]

Had a coach, between innings tell me " You know that's a balk, don"t you?"  I asked what the pitcher was doing and he said the pitcher was coming set while the batter was getting his signs from the 3BC and had one foot out of the batter's box.  ??????

 

I just said OK.  I didn't want to get in a pissing contest with this idiot.

 

Where do they learn this nonsense?

[Fittske24]

How can the ball be put in play?

 

Well - the pitcher had the ball and was on the rubber. Why couldn't it?

 

Did he meet the "preparatory to coming set requirement"?

 

Yes.

 

Did he quick pitch?

 

No.

 

So where was there any violation?

 

In the set position the pitcher cannot start with both hands together per 8.01(b) he must engage with one hand at his side.

[Batman1262]

I read this the same as Fittske here. In my opinion he must reset!

[BigUmpire]

No Balk.

Just poor umpiring.

[Batman1262]

Wow busting my balls! Thanks

[BigUmpire]

Wow busting my balls! Thanks

OP did not indicate it was you umpiring BUT, WELL Sorry.

 

[BigUmpire]

I got an idea:

Next time this happens call time and see how long the pitcher can stay in that position!

Start humming the Jeopardy song!

 

[maven]

 

How can the ball be put in play?

 

Well - the pitcher had the ball and was on the rubber. Why couldn't it?

 

Did he meet the "preparatory to coming set requirement"?

 

Yes.

 

Did he quick pitch?

 

No.

 

So where was there any violation?

 

In the set position the pitcher cannot start with both hands together per 8.01(b) he must engage with one hand at his side.

 

The ball was live. F1 came set. PU called time.

 

F1 did not move. He had the ball and was engaged. Are you claiming that PU incorrectly made the ball live at that time? You require F1 to disengage when the ball is dead, and then re-engage after separating his hands?

 

Nobody disputes that IF he disengaged, THEN he would have to separate his hands before re-engaging. But he did not disengage.

[BigUmp56]

I can see both sides of this discussion as having valid points. A little preventive umpiring is in order.

"Steve, step off & reset please."

Tim.

[Fittske24]

Here is another thing to think about, If you allow F1 to stay in a set position with hands together once the ball has been put back in play, you have now given the defense a competitive advantage. Any runner on base will not be able to take his full lead since all preparatory movements have been eliminated.

[maven]

Here is another thing to think about, If you allow F1 to stay in a set position with hands together once the ball has been put back in play, you have now given the defense a competitive advantage. Any runner on base will not be able to take his full lead since all preparatory movements have been eliminated.

 

Preparatory movements are not required by rule. F1 may engage with his hands apart and immediately come set, take his sign, and pitch.

[noumpere]

I would make the pitcher start over.  That is to say he doesn't need to disengage but he has to come "un set".  The rules require the pitcher to have one hand at his side (or some such wording) before coming set.  That assumes that he ball is already live.  He cant come set have the ball become dead and then still be set - other wise you would have to balk him if he say separated the hands.  Not a balk, but get it right.

[BigSimonia]

Ok - You're on the bases.  U1 puts the ball back in paly even though the pitcher has his hands together (i.e., has not "re-set").  Do you immediatley call time (again - after your partner just put the ball in play) and tell F1 to re-set?

[BigUmp56]

If my partner puts the ball back in play incorrectly or otherwise, I'm keeping quiet about it unless I see an unsafe condition that must be addressed. Asking the pitcher to re-set is preventive umpiring as the PU, doing it as the BU is pissing in your partner's lunch box.

 

Tim.

[BigUmpire]

Call time and tie you shoes IF you really think you need to.