Balk question... I know, again

[aaluck]

Had a kid last night in a varsity game, NFHS rules.  Always pitching from the set, regardless of runners or not.  

After coming set, on/during his delivery to the plate his ball hand separates from the glove (to the point that sometimes, not always, you can see the ball entirely out of the glove) then returns to the glove.  Now this is occurring AFTER he has come set and while he is in his motion delivering a pitch to the plate.  He does this on every pitch and I do not recall him doing it when throwing to first, only when delivering a pitch.

Offensive coach wanted a balk.  What does everyone think?  We didn't call it but I'm not sure if we were right or not quite honestly.  Any help would be appreciated

[noumpere]

What balk rule do you think he violated?

 

"Ugly" or "different" or "I've never seen that before" or "my pitchers don't do that" is not a reason for a balk.

 

Balk rules are much more "start to do one thing and then don't do it" or "start to do one thing and then do something different."

[Thunderheads]

once he starts his motion, he can pull the ball away from the glove during his motion.  Of what you described, I don't see a balk here.

[maven]

Did F1 commit himself to pitch and then pitch to the batter? If so, I don't care what happens in between, as long as the motion is continuous. Wiggles, wobbles, toe-tapping, singing, head bobs, dipsy-doodles...don't care.

Once engaged, F1 may legally do just 3 things: pitch to the batter, step and throw/feint to a base, or disengage. The latter two are well defined; the former has MUCH more leeway.

[aaluck]

1 hour ago, noumpere said:

What balk rule do you think he violated?

I didn't and that's why we didn't call it.  But I also want to make sure, as I know I will see this kid again.

The coach's complaint was the hands separation and reconnecting during the delivery of the pitch.

[Velho]

44 minutes ago, aaluck said:

The coach's complaint was the hands separation and reconnecting during the delivery of the pitch.

My son picked up this habit last year. Been waiting for someone to try and make an issue.

1 hour ago, maven said:

Once engaged, F1 may legally do just 3 things: pitch to the batter, step and throw/feint to a base, or disengage. The latter two are well defined; the former has MUCH more leeway.

So succinct. Thanks @maven Cut and pasted for what I can feed the coach after the game when it does happen.

[MadMax]

On 4/5/2022 at 11:27 AM, aaluck said:

The coach's complaint was the hands separation and reconnecting during the delivery of the pitch.

Viral "umpiring". This was likely because his team was called for it in the past, by an umpire (crew) who didn't know any better and picked up "the virus" from other past umpires and partners.

And, if the F1 is doing this, from the Set, regardless of runners or not... is the OC looking for a Balk call, then, too?  Why, because it "distracts the batter"?? 

Ugh. Viral umpiring.

[aaluck]

8 minutes ago, MadMax said:

Viral "umpiring". This was likely because his team was called for it in the past, by an umpire (crew) who didn't know any better and picked up "the virus" from other past umpires and partners.

Probably not far from the truth.

[johnnyg08]

 

[Thunderheads]

16 minutes ago, johnnyg08 said:

 

[johnnyg08]

On 4/6/2022 at 3:41 PM, MadMax said:

Viral "umpiring". This was likely because his team was called for it in the past, by an umpire (crew) who didn't know any better and picked up "the virus" from other past umpires and partners.

And, if the F1 is doing this, from the Set, regardless of runners or not... is the OC looking for a Balk call, then, too?  Why, because it "distracts the batter"?? 

Ugh. Viral umpiring.

I can say this...I've gotten yelled at for a lot more stuff than I've gotten right than I've gotten wrong which is crazy

[JonnyCat]

7 hours ago, johnnyg08 said:

I can say this...I've gotten yelled at for a lot more stuff than I've gotten right than I've gotten wrong which is crazy

Isn't that the truth!!!

I had to dump a manager this week over enforcing a time limit rule, which he knew about! My partner and I were completely in the right over a rule that couldn't be any more black and white. We did everything right, and he still wanted to argue that we were wrong in ending the game.

SMH

[Replacematt]

On 4/8/2022 at 4:48 PM, johnnyg08 said:

I can say this...I've gotten yelled at for a lot more stuff than I've gotten right than I've gotten wrong which is crazy

That's what happens when you call balks.

[udbrky]

This move has become so commonplace these days. I see it at least 2-3x a week, even from bad pitchers. I'm surprised he thought it was a balk.