Balk????

[dportz]

About to start my second season of umpiring - if the snow ever melts!!!!

I was having a discussion and was unable to find the exact wording in regards to a balk.

The pitcher in the stretch. He jumps up, or hops, (both feet leave the ground at the same time) making his turn towards the base he wants to throw to and throws. Is this legal?

I read it to say he has to step towards the base first then throw.

I think I am confusing myself a bit. Remember I am new. Any advice??

Dean

[mstaylor]

You are not going to find it in the rulebook. It is technically illegal, but by interpretation it is allowed. It is considered to be still engaged so to first he has to throw.

[Umpire in Chief]

You are not going to find it in the rulebook. It is technically illegal, but by interpretation it is allowed. It is considered to be still engaged so to first he has to throw.

And he has to still gain distance and direction.

[jjb]

It sounds like what you're describing is called a "jump pivot". It's perfectly legal. As Warren said, you've got to look at the forward foot, (his left if he's a RH pitcher), and judge if it gained distance and direction toward the base prior to the throw. Most often, it will. (There's your "step"). A mid-air throw is a balk. You also need to know that, as MS said, it's NOT a disengage: doesn't matter where his feet end up.

[Umpire in Chief]

These interpretations are exactly why it is important to have other resources like Jaska/Roder, BRD, and other resources because there are a few things which you won't find in the rule books or if you do find it, it may be worded so that it is difficult to understand.

[blindumpire99]

As Warren said, you have to make SURE that he gained distance--stepped toward the base throwing to-- and his move is not simply a jump/spin/turn and body repostioning type move.

If he does not gain distance but merely turns--BALK ..

Just remember to look at his front foot to see what he does with it, don't pay any attention to his acrobatic throw..

Edited March 30, 2009 by blindumpire99

[Astrosdawg07]

As Warren said, you have to make SURE that he gained distance--stepped toward the base throwing to-- and his move is not simply a jump/spin/turn and body repostioning type move.

If he does not gain distance but merely turns--BALK ..

Just remember to look at his front foot to see what he does with it, don't pay any attention to his acrobatic throw..

In opinion if you make that balk call for just turning you will catch hell. I see so many guys just taught the jump spin and turn.

[mstaylor]

You almost have to gain direction and distance if you actually jump and turn. Sometimes the jump will make your pivot foot land toward third and you front foot will gain little distance but direction, that's OK. What is not OK is a jump where you are really doing a cross the body type throw.

[jjb]

From J/R:

"Jump" Step: A pitcher can, without balking, jump (i.e. both his feet go airborne simultaneously) before his non-pivot foot retouches the ground in a different position: this is a jump step. Again, the latter step must bring the free foot into the air and replace it on the ground in a completely different spot that is closer to the pickoff base.

[blindumpire99]

From J/R:

"Jump" Step: A pitcher can, without balking, jump (i.e. both his feet go airborne simultaneously) before his non-pivot foot retouches the ground in a different position: this is a jump step. Again, the latter step must bring the free foot into the air and replace it on the ground in a completely different spot that is closer to the pickoff base.

My point exactly....

I never worry about catching it from know it all coaching supplement check cashers, aka, coaches. When they question you about licking the fingers and not wiping them before touching the ball?

That tells me a LOT about their actual baseball knowledge..:confused:

[Astrosdawg07]

is this a balk?

[okump96]

i don't see anything wrong, achestnut

[widac]

No. You can only balk in a game.

Yes, because he didn't throw the ball.

No, because I'll pretend he did throw it and you're asking about the step towards 1st from a RH F1, which is OK. :angel4:

[Astrosdawg07]

So my thought was that since on a RHer the runner is looking at the back foot as the key if he's coming over or not. So with that being said I was actually leaning towards a balk. Let's go a even deep say his back foot never comes off the rubber, we then have a balk for sure correct.

[widac]

So my thought was that since on a RHer the runner is looking at the back foot as the key if he's coming over or not. So with that being said I was actually leaning towards a balk. Let's go a even deep say his back foot never comes off the rubber, we then have a balk for sure correct.

Uh...what?

[BrianC14]

From J/R:

"Jump" Step: A pitcher can, without balking, jump (i.e. both his feet go airborne simultaneously) before his non-pivot foot retouches the ground in a different position: this is a jump step. Again, the latter step must bring the free foot into the air and replace it on the ground in a completely different spot that is closer to the pickoff base.

Re: the wording in bold type:

In other words, his free foot has to have gained distance toward the base.