NFHS 2019 Test Question #4

[yawetag]

Pitching from the wind-up position, the pitcher pauses for a couple of seconds with both hands together above his head.

A. This is legal provided the stop was complete and discernible.

B. This would be legal if the pitcher had stopped with his hands at or below his chin.

C. This is illegal. After he starts his movement to pitch, he must continue the motion without interruption or alteration.

D. A and B.

 

I've got (C) on this one. But the question doesn't state whether the pitcher has started his movement. If he hasn't, I don't think there's anything against him bringing his hands together above his chin in the wind-up. If he has, then (C) is definitely correct.

[kylehutson]

I'm ASSuming the motion has started, too. I'd pick C

[Richvee]

They want C. But, when I watched this pitcher, when his hands paused over his head I saw his leg still in motion or his torso turning a bit. I got nothing. 

Now if he pauses up there "for a couple of seconds" as the question states, we might have to have a talk about his delivery. Think about how long a couple of seconds could be in a windup. 

We are seeing this more and more...Not necessarily pausing with arms above the head, (hands at the waist as many pitchers are going from there in a windup) but, from a windup, pitchers taking that step back, and pausing before continuing their delivery.  

[Richvee]

@Thunderheads or another mod...Can we get these NFHS test questions into one thread?? 

[Forest Ump]

and interesting enough, the NCAA says it's OK to pause during the windup.

[yawetag]

1 hour ago, Richvee said:

@Thunderheads or another mod...Can we get these NFHS test questions into one thread?? 

Purposely didn't put them together. They're different questions with completely different topics. Putting them together will only make the thread confusing.

[Richvee]

1 hour ago, yawetag said:

Purposely didn't put them together. They're different questions with completely different topics. Putting them together will only make the thread confusing.

To each their own. Bit of a PIA this way IMO.  But that’s just me. 

[maven]

On 2/7/2019 at 5:15 PM, yawetag said:

Pitching from the wind-up position, the pitcher pauses for a couple of seconds with both hands together above his head.

He can't pause until he started his motion. Also, the situation is that he's "pitching," which entails that the pitching motion has begun.

[Senor Azul]

2011 NFHS Baseball Rules Interpretations SITUATION 20: With R1 on third base, the pitcher is in the windup position. At the top of his motion, he pauses for two or three seconds and then delivers. RULING: The umpire shall declare a balk and score R1 from third base. After a pitcher starts his motion to pitch, he must continue the motion without interruption or alteration. (6-1-2)

[conbo61]

I understand calling a balk if he changed his motion once runners were on, but what if this has been his "natural" motion since the first pitch of the game?

 

[maven]

2 hours ago, conbo61 said:

I understand calling a balk if he changed his motion once runners were on, but what if this has been his "natural" motion since the first pitch of the game?

It might be "natural," and the rule might not have been previously enforced; but it's illegal every time he does it. 6-1-2

With no runners, it would be an illegal pitch and a ball to the batter.

[Senor Azul]

Mr. conbo61, the FED interpretation I posted was, according to the 2016 BRD, issued to affirm that the FED rule 6-1-2 had not changed in spite of what people see on television. That is, once the pitcher begins his delivery he must continue his motion without interruption or alteration. “What people see on television” referred to what was being called at the time the Japanese pause. The rationale you mentioned is a valid one for NCAA and OBR but not for the FED.

[Jimurray]

37 minutes ago, Senor Azul said:

Mr. conbo61, the FED interpretation I posted was, according to the 2016 BRD, issued to affirm that the FED rule 6-1-2 had not changed in spite of what people see on television. That is, once the pitcher begins his delivery he must continue his motion without interruption or alteration. “What people see on television” referred to what was being called at the time the Japanese pause. The rationale you mentioned is a valid one for NCAA and OBR but not for the FED.

Speaking of rationales, I'll use @Richvee's for FED

[conbo61]

22 hours ago, Senor Azul said:

Mr. conbo61, the FED interpretation I posted was, according to the 2016 BRD, issued to affirm that the FED rule 6-1-2 had not changed in spite of what people see on television. That is, once the pitcher begins his delivery he must continue his motion without interruption or alteration. “What people see on television” referred to what was being called at the time the Japanese pause. The rationale you mentioned is a valid one for NCAA and OBR but not for the FED.

Thank you all.  

So the prudent move is to either to either call it right away or have a lineup card conference with the coach.

(SA - while appreciated, no need for the Mr. I start looking for my dad. :) )

[johnnyg08]

On 2/7/2019 at 9:23 PM, Richvee said:

To each their own. Bit of a PIA this way IMO.  But that’s just me. 

I'm in your camp. Tried it, and people keep making different threads. 

I'd love them all in one thread. 

Not the first and won't be the last time lots of people disagree with me.