Balk?

[stl_ump]

R1 and RHP

Instead of doing the typical jump / spin move to first by turning to his left, this pitcher pivots to his right like he would as if he was going to throw to 2nd and keeps going until he ends up finally stepping towards 1st.  He never put his foot down until he stepped towards first.

Balk?

Thanks

 

[noumpere]

Yes, that's a balk.  Easy.

[Thunderheads]

.........plus, it's physically impossible without blowing out your knee

[stl_ump]

That's what I thought.

Coach was calling it an "inside" move.

"What is an inside move?"

[maven]

The reason F1 may turn either way when throwing or feinting to 2B is that he has to go 180° either way. Both moves thus count as stepping "directly" to the base, as required by rule.

For 1B, however, turning one direction is 90°, and the other (coach's "inside move") takes him through 270°. The latter does not constitute stepping directly to the base, and is thus a step balk.

As usual, this applies to both RHP and LHP, though I can't imagine a southpaw trying this.

[JHSump]

As usual, this applies to both RHP and LHP, though I can't imagine a southpaw trying this.

After seeing that Diamondbacks pitcher step back off the rubber and throw a "pitch" I am widening the bounds of my imagination.  

[maven]

After seeing that Diamondbacks pitcher step back off the rubber and throw a "pitch" I am widening the bounds of my imagination.  

I'm relieved: when I saw that you had quoted me, I worried you would critique my geometry!

[DVA7130]

I've never seen this as a balk, and it sounds like the myth that the pitcher can only turn one way is being leaned on.

[stl_ump]

OK... another opinion.

I need more input.

 

[noumpere]

I've never seen this as a balk, and it sounds like the myth that the pitcher can only turn one way is being leaned on.

You know the pitcher in the OP threw to FIRST and not to SECOND, right?

 

I agree the pitcher can turn either way to throw to second.

[dookiexman]

I had this very situation in the OP two years ago in a Babe Ruth 16-18 league game.

RHP turned 270° toward 1B. I took a second to process what he had just done, because I had never seen anyone try that move. Both BU in B and myself behind the dish called "Balk!" at the same time. 

RHP was one of our younger umpires that worked some of the 7-8 and 9-10 year old games where they don't call balks. He didn't understand how that could have been a balk as he stated, "I stepped toward first?!?" We explained that this is not a legal move toward 1B as you are making a move toward 2B and not directly to 1B.

[ricka56]

Did F1's non-pivot foot cross the back edge of the rubber? That would commit him to pitch.

[Mike Walsh]

Did F1's non-pivot foot cross the back edge of the rubber? That would commit him to pitch.

Good point. I can't see any way he didn't cross the back edge. It's just not possible.

Mike

[dookiexman]

In my situation, he definitely crossed the back edge on his way around toward 1B. Crossing the back edge commits him to deliver the pitch or throw to 2B. Of course he would be making a move to an unoccupied 2nd base, which would still be a balk.