Pickoffs

[jpperez14]

Hey all,

 

its been awhile since I have been on the site. me and a couple of guys had a discussion last night. Hopefully I can write it and make some sense. Left handed pitcher, with runner on 2nd, pitcher turns to make a snap throw (complete 180 turn) to second but doesn't throw. I was discussing with others, I believed its a balk because he never disengaged to the back of the rubber, in my opinion, he made a step to make a play on the runner but failed to complete the throw.

 

 

 

[Replacematt]

Hey all,

 

its been awhile since I have been on the site. me and a couple of guys had a discussion last night. Hopefully I can write it and make some sense. Left handed pitcher, with runner on 2nd, pitcher turns to make a snap throw (complete 180 turn) to second but doesn't throw. I was discussing with others, I believed its a balk because he never disengaged to the back of the rubber, in my opinion, he made a step to make a play on the runner but failed to complete the throw.

 

And why would that be illegal?

[VAUmp]

Legal throughout the universe!

[grayhawk]

To second base, a step is required, but a throw isn't. Not a balk in any rule set.

[Majordave]

Anyone remember old Tim_C from Officiating.com and umpire.org forums? His mantra was IIITBTSB

[Jimurray]

Hey all,

 

its been awhile since I have been on the site. me and a couple of guys had a discussion last night. Hopefully I can write it and make some sense. Left handed pitcher, with runner on 2nd, pitcher turns to make a snap throw (complete 180 turn) to second but doesn't throw. I was discussing with others, I believed its a balk because he never disengaged to the back of the rubber, in my opinion, he made a step to make a play on the runner but failed to complete the throw.

Why would he have to throw to 2B? I hope the other guys told you that you were wrong. At least one of them. BTW, you never told me why pitchers only could wear prescription sunglasses.

[maven]

I was discussing with others, I believed its a balk because he never disengaged to the back of the rubber, in my opinion, he made a step to make a play on the runner but failed to complete the throw.

 

I agree with your judgment. Why do you conclude that the proper ruling is a balk?

[Thunderheads]

Anyone remember old Tim_C from Officiating.com and umpire.org forums? His mantra was IIITBTSB

Translation:

It Is Impossible To Balk To Second Base

[Majordave]

I wanted someone to ask Jeff.  Spoiler.

[Thunderheads]

I wanted someone to ask Jeff.  Spoiler.

my bad!

[Majordave]

I went over to Officiating.com forums and looked up some Tim_C posts.  I stand corrected.  The acronym is IIITBTOSB.

[LMSANS]

...and the "O" means?

[noumpere]

...and the "O" means?

Your wife is not surprised you need to ask that question. 

 

(But, in this context, it means "occupied.")

[conbo61]

If he does not gain distance (snap 180, straight up -> straight down) I think that would be a balk.

[Jimurray]

If he does not gain distance (snap 180, straight up -> straight down) I think that would be a balk.

Wouldn't a 180 naturally have the non pivot foot gain distance from where it started?

[johnnyg08]

Since we're on this topic, we should all agree on the fact that F1 also doesn't have to throw to an occupied 2B.  

[maven]

 

...and the "O" means?

Your wife is not surprised you need to ask that question. 

 

[jpperez14]

I was just curious about it. I see it often and just always seemed to be a balk, because he doesn't disengage to the back of the rubber. I could just be wrong and thinking outside of the rules.

 

 

I suppose me making a pitcher remove non prescription sunglasses is also just my thinking outside of the rules.

[TheRockawayKid]

You are allowed to feint to an occupied second and third base. You just can't feint to first base.

[johnnyg08]

Since we're on this topic, we should all agree on the fact that F1 also doesn't have to throw to an occupied 2B.  

 

I suppose I should clarify this before I get eaten up.  If 2B is occupied, F1 can throw it to the shortstop who is not making a play on the runner

[johnnyg08]

You just can't feint to first base or third base.

 

If you're playing under OBR.  

[Rich Ives]

 

 

 

I suppose me making a pitcher remove non prescription sunglasses is also just my thinking outside of the rules.

 

True       .

[SureAm]

...

 

I suppose me making a pitcher remove non prescription sunglasses is also just my thinking outside of the rules.

[Recontra]

I never got that one, either, but hear it all the time:  "Hey, the pitcher's wearing sunglasses, he can't do that!"  Really?

 

However, if they're mirrored or the sunlight is reflecting towards the plate, then I'll find them distracting and instruct they be removed (at least till the sun moves a bit)--and I might even have a little more ammo this year in FED, as mirrored helmets and face guards are expressly prohibited. But if the sun is pointing the other way, and the kid thinks he looks cool in his Oakleys (or if his mom has convinced him he's a cataract risk 50 years from now unless he wears them--yeah, right), then I don't get the objection. Clearly it ain't in the rulebook.

[johnnyg08]

I'm w/ RecontraBacan, if F1 wants to wear sunglasses, I'm going to give him quite a bit of latitude as the rules do not specifically prohibit sunglasses.