Pitcher adjusts hat while on rubber

[SleptTilNoonLOL]

Pitcher in stretch, hasnt come set yet. While looking into catcher, he has the ball in his bare hand and reaches up at the back of his head with the ball and appears to adjust the back of his hat. He did this several times during the course of the one inning he pitched. Is this a balk for starting his pitching motion and then stopping?

[The Man in Blue]

He cannot have started a pitching motion if he hasn't come set yet, so no.

[Senor Azul]

I think it is a start/stop balk in the OP. Even if it isn’t a balk, the following case plays seem to indicate that the reason given by Mr. The Man in Blue for it not being a balk is not correct.

2019 NFHS rule 6-1 ART. 3 . . . For the set position, the pitcher shall have the ball in either his gloved hand or his pitching hand. His pitching hand shall be down at his side or behind his back…

2019 NFHS Case Book Play 6.1.3 Situation Q:  With a runner on first, Team A right-handed pitcher is in the set position, bent at the waist and his pitching arm naturally hangs down slightly in front or to the side away from his body. As he looks to the catcher for a signal, (a) the pitcher’s arm is stationary or (b) the pitching arm rocks slightly from side to side. RULING:  In (a), the position of the arm is natural and can be considered by his side in meeting the rule. Any movement would then start the pitch. In (b), any movement of the arm is considered the start of the pitching motion and a pitch must be delivered to the plate so this motion results in a balk.

2019 NFHS Case Book Play 6.1.3 Situation F:  With R1 on first, F1 receives the ball from F2 and with his feet in set-position stance and in contact with the pitcher’s plate (a) nervously tosses ball in glove two or three times, or (b) removes the ball from his glove. RULING:  This is a balk in (a) and (b). Restrictions on F1’s movements begin when he intentionally contacts the pitcher’s plate with his pivot foot.

[The Man in Blue]

Interesting.  That feels like being extremely overly officious, IMO.  Especially considering the $#!+ we allow pitchers to do these days.  

Doesn't his arm move when he twists his shoulders before he comes set?  But that is allowed.

 

If ANY movement starts the pitch, how do we ever allow a pitcher to attempt a pickoff?

I get the letter on this, but I do not agree conceptually and I’m pretty sure I’m never going to balk a kid for adjusting his hat in this manner.  I’m happy to live with being wrong sometimes.

[ArchAngel72]

LOL  Time

 

"let me check that ball son.. what kinda stuff did you just Dr the ball with cause you have now given me suspect that you got some hair gel on the ball or something"

 

 

I kid I kid...

 

Its no balk but yeah I would feel odd if he did it again 

 

[Jimurray]

46 minutes ago, Senor Azul said:

I think it is a start/stop balk in the OP. Even if it isn’t a balk, the following case plays seem to indicate that the reason given by Mr. The Man in Blue for it not being a balk is not correct.

2019 NFHS rule 6-1 ART. 3 . . . For the set position, the pitcher shall have the ball in either his gloved hand or his pitching hand. His pitching hand shall be down at his side or behind his back…

2019 NFHS Case Book Play 6.1.3 Situation Q:  With a runner on first, Team A right-handed pitcher is in the set position, bent at the waist and his pitching arm naturally hangs down slightly in front or to the side away from his body. As he looks to the catcher for a signal, (a) the pitcher’s arm is stationary or (b) the pitching arm rocks slightly from side to side. RULING:  In (a), the position of the arm is natural and can be considered by his side in meeting the rule. Any movement would then start the pitch. In (b), any movement of the arm is considered the start of the pitching motion and a pitch must be delivered to the plate so this motion results in a balk.

2019 NFHS Case Book Play 6.1.3 Situation F:  With R1 on first, F1 receives the ball from F2 and with his feet in set-position stance and in contact with the pitcher’s plate (a) nervously tosses ball in glove two or three times, or (b) removes the ball from his glove. RULING:  This is a balk in (a) and (b). Restrictions on F1’s movements begin when he intentionally contacts the pitcher’s plate with his pivot foot.

This is not a balk in any code: 

"2010

SITUATION 8: F1, while on the pitcher’s plate in either the windup or set position, (a) adjusts his cap, or (b) shakes off the signal with his glove, or (c) shakes off the signal with his head. RULING: In (a), (b) and (c) these are legal actions, provided these movements of the arms and legs were not associated with the pitch. (6-1-1, 6.1.2D case book)"

At one point in the past NFHS actually had (a) as a balk in one of their caseplays but reversed it thankfully. The pitching motion referred to in the above caseplay should say the "start of the motion to come set". Most of us call it a start stop when the pitcher aborts coming set but it also is used when the pitcher stops his motion to deliver. Paradoxically, while adjusting your cap would be allowed by FED, moving your hand to the mouth while on the rubber is called a balk with runner/s on. FED won't let go of that interp.

[SleptTilNoonLOL]

I've had pitchers adjust their cap tons of times with the ball in their glove and never gave it a second th0ught, but this kid was fiddling with the back of his cap while holding the ball in the same hand. Thats what made me question it. I would rather not call this a balk but wanted to know the letter of the law in case it comes up. 

 

 

[Catch18]

I think it is a start/stop balk in the OP. Even if it isn’t a balk, the following case plays seem to indicate that the reason given by Mr. The Man in Blue for it not being a balk is not correct.
2019 NFHS rule 6-1 ART. 3 . . . For the set position, the pitcher shall have the ball in either his gloved hand or his pitching hand. His pitching hand shall be down at his side or behind his back…
2019 NFHS Case Book Play 6.1.3 Situation Q:  With a runner on first, Team A right-handed pitcher is in the set position, bent at the waist and his pitching arm naturally hangs down slightly in front or to the side away from his body. As he looks to the catcher for a signal, (a) the pitcher’s arm is stationary or (b) the pitching arm rocks slightly from side to side. RULING:  In (a), the position of the arm is natural and can be considered by his side in meeting the rule. Any movement would then start the pitch. In (b), any movement of the arm is considered the start of the pitching motion and a pitch must be delivered to the plate so this motion results in a balk.
2019 NFHS Case Book Play 6.1.3 Situation F:  With R1 on first, F1 receives the ball from F2 and with his feet in set-position stance and in contact with the pitcher’s plate (a) nervously tosses ball in glove two or three times, or (b) removes the ball from his glove. RULING:  This is a balk in (a) and (b). Restrictions on F1’s movements begin when he intentionally contacts the pitcher’s plate with his pivot foot.

Senor Azul, that’s not a relevant cite for the case play. That case play deals with the “gorilla arm” stance in the pre-set position. That’s not this OP.

[The Man in Blue]

1 hour ago, Catch18 said:

Senor Azul, that’s not a relevant cite for the case play. That case play deals with the “gorilla arm” stance in the pre-set position. That’s not this OP.

 

However, the case play does say "Any movement would then start the pitch."  

Hence, the problem with officiating from case plays, interpretations, and random e-mails instead of the actual rule book.  Use those sources to help you think through the rule book and understand it, not as a replacement for it.

[The Man in Blue]

3 hours ago, SleptTilNoonLOL said:

I've had pitchers adjust their cap tons of times with the ball in their glove and never gave it a second th0ught, but this kid was fiddling with the back of his cap while holding the ball in the same hand. Thats what made me question it. I would rather not call this a balk but wanted to know the letter of the law in case it comes up. 

 

 

 

If it was that suspicious, feel free to check the ball or his hat.  Still not calling a balk.

[MadMax]

On 6/27/2022 at 10:46 AM, Jimurray said:

This is not a balk in any code:

Enthusiastically concur. In the thousands of amateur games I've officiated, both as PU or BU, we haven't called an adjustment of the cap, with or without the ball in hand, as a Balk. 

Doesn't quack like a duck.