Hand to mouth

[umpire_scott]

What are all the rule interps for when licking your fingers is a balk?  I know I could look them all up, but wanted to post it here so other could also discuss interps and situations.

 

I had a situation last night where my partner called a balk for the pitcher licking his fingers prior to addressing the batter (he was in the vcinity of the rubber, but had not looked into get signs or gotten into his typical stretch position).  There was a runner on second.

[Thunderheads]

did he wipe his fingers off before he touched the ball?

[Jimurray]

did he wipe his fingers off before he touched the ball?

Before you ask that question we need to ask if he was in contact with the rubber and what ruleset.

[Thunderheads]

 

did he wipe his fingers off before he touched the ball?

Before you ask that question we need to ask if he was in contact with the rubber and what ruleset.

 

OP says he was in the 'vicinity of the rubber' ..........

[grayhawk]

Lots of good info in previous threads on this topic if you search.  Also, @sdix had a good summary for all codes on this somewhere, but I can't find it.

 

It's only a balk in Fed, and only if he's on the rubber.  It's considered a start/stop balk, not a balk specifically for going to the mouth.

[umpire_scott]

I do not believe he was on the rubber.  It happened very fast.  An out had just been recorded and the next batter was just taking his place in the box.  It looked like the pitcher was just about to step to the rubber and my partner yelled "that's a balk".  Rule set was FED. 

 

I talked to my partner afterwards and he said he was "around the rubber".  Sounded like maybe he thought he was on the rubber, called it, then wasn't sure if was actually on it or not.

 

It ended up moving the runner to third and then he came home on a wild pitch.  That was the only run in a 1-0, 7 inning game in the championship of a 16U Pasttime Tournament.  I thought it was also only a balk if he was on the rubber.  But then I wondered what if he didn't wipe his hand before contacting the ball?

 

I did a few different searches for other threads but came up empty.  Maybe my searches were too specific?

[noumpere]

 I thought it was also only a balk if he was on the rubber.  But then I wondered what if he didn't wipe his hand before contacting the ball?

 

 

Ball.  No warning (by rule).  But, if you can call time before he gets to the rubber, do so.

 

6-2 something

[grayhawk]

I just searched "hand to mouth" without the quotes and found several threads. No worries.

If your partner wasn't sure he was on the rubber, then he shouldn't call it. Pretty big call in that spot to not be 100% sure.

[umpire_scott]

I just searched "hand to mouth" without the quotes and found several threads. No worries.

If your partner wasn't sure he was on the rubber, then he shouldn't call it. Pretty big call in that spot to not be 100% sure.

 

I guess next time I should use the pulldown to switch from "this thread".  LOL  Don't I feel stupid.

[Richvee]

 Also, @sdix had a good summary for all codes on this somewhere, but I can't find it.

 

 

I hope @sdix doesn't mind......

 

 

Hand to Mouth

• • Off Rubber >>Hand >>Mouth >>Wipe >>Rubber = OK
  • Off Rubber >>Hand >>Mouth >>Wipe >>Ball = OK
  • Off Rubber >>Hand >>Mouth >>Ball = Call "TIME!" before F1 engages.  Switch out the ball.
  • Off Rubber >>Hand >>Mouth >>Rubber = Call "TIME!".  Charge a Ball.  Switch out the ball if F1 touched the ball.
  • ON Rubber >>Hand >>Mouth = Call "TIME!".  Warn/Ball in OBR.  Balk in FED (Start/Stop). Switch out the ball.
  • ON Rubber >>Set/Windup >>Hand >>Mouth = Call "BALK!".  (Start/Stop Balk in all codes).  Switch the ball if F1 touched the ball.

[Jimurray]

@Richvee. Your last two are runner and code dependent. The start/stop rational for the FED balk should not be applied to NCAA or OBR. It really even should not be applied in FED but no arguing with them.

[Richvee]

@Richvee. Your last two are runner and code dependent. The start/stop rational for the FED balk should not be applied to NCAA or OBR. It really even should not be applied in FED but no arguing with them.

It's sdix's list from his  The Sitch 

I agree with you on #5. #6 we've got a pitcher in the set or win dup with runners on, so going to the mouth is separating the hands and not delivering a pitch . 

[Jimurray]

@Richvee. Your last two are runner and code dependent. The start/stop rational for the FED balk should not be applied to NCAA or OBR. It really even should not be applied in FED but no arguing with them.

It's sdix's list from his  The Sitch 

I agree with you on #5. #6 we've got a pitcher in the set or win dup with runners on, so going to the mouth is separating the hands and not delivering a pitch .

I see what you are sayingin #6, hands together and separating, would be a balk no matter where either hand ended up. Probably best to leave that out of the discussion as it could be confusing (at least to me).