Another balk question

[Guest Chip]

12U game this weekend. Balk was called when my pitcher disengaged the rubber from the set position but did not break his hands right away. I hadn't heard that before and after reading up on the rules, I saw that breaking the hands is explicitly stated in the rules when disengaging the rubber from the windup, but did not see anything about from the stretch. Can anyone clarify? Thanks in advance

[noumpere]

It's required, but only before re-taking the rubber.  Unfortunately, it's a common myth that failing to do so (nearly) immediately is a balk.

[Guest Chip]

Thank you. It felt incorrect. He even went so far as to call it up on his phone between innings, but it still didn't seem right.

[Senor Azul]

I think the following rule also covers the set position. Although it is odd that when each pitching position is discussed in detail only in the windup-position discussion does it specifically mention separating the hands upon disengagement.

2019 OBR rule 5.07 Pitching

(a) Legal Pitching Delivery

There are two legal pitching positions, the Windup Position and the Set Position, and either position may be used at any time.

Rule 5.07(a) Comment: Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs but may not step quickly onto the rubber and pitch. This may be judged a quick pitch by the umpire. When the pitcher disengages the rubber, he must drop his hands to his sides…

Please note that there is no penalty listed for failure to separate the hands upon disengagement. It’s what we umpires brilliantly refer to as a don’t do that.

The 2017 Jaksa/Roder manual says “No penalty is mandated or suggested for violation of this rule. Such action is simply prohibited. A suggested course of action: first offense, call time and direct the pitcher to correct his actions (or discuss it with him or his manager during a dead ball); second offense, warning; third offense, ejection.”