Couple of questions

[Mister B]

Can somebody explain the "going to the mouth rules" for FED? I had a kid that would go to his mouth and then wipe on his pants, but sometimes on the rubber, sometimes off the rubber, I did balk him for going to his mouth then directly to the ball while on the rubber. I'm just not sure about the various combinations. 

The second one is base awards from the pitcher on pick offs, I'm assuming that if he steps off, it should be a 2 base award and if he is still on the rubber it is a 1 base award. Where I get confused, is the jump turn. If the pitcher does a jump turn and his pivot food doesn't land on the rubber, is that the same as stepping off. What if his pivot foot lands on the rubber? 

Thanks.

 

[SH0102]

3 hours ago, Mister B said:

Can somebody explain the "going to the mouth rules" for FED? I had a kid that would go to his mouth and then wipe on his pants, but sometimes on the rubber, sometimes off the rubber, I did balk him for going to his mouth then directly to the ball while on the rubber. I'm just not sure about the various combinations. 

The second one is base awards from the pitcher on pick offs, I'm assuming that if he steps off, it should be a 2 base award and if he is still on the rubber it is a 1 base award. Where I get confused, is the jump turn. If the pitcher does a jump turn and his pivot food doesn't land on the rubber, is that the same as stepping off. What if his pivot foot lands on the rubber? 

Thanks.

 

The NFHS rule book only uses the word “mouth” one time, and it is in 6-2 where it says a ball shall be added to the count every time a P goes to his mouth and does not distinctly wipe.

In NCAA and OBR, both lick and no wipe or lick while on the rubber, are a ball added to the count (new rule this year the P gets one warning first).

Back to NFHS rules, it does not say it’s a balk so I wouldn’t issue a balk, though I’ll readily admit I’m more versed in ncaa/OBR than NFHS so I might be missing an alternate rule, but I do know mouth is only used once in the rule book.

To your second question, a disengagement is an intentional act, a clear step backwards that occurs before any turn/jump/etc. A jump turn is always “from the rubber” and should be one base award for any runner should the throw go out of play after originating from the rubber .

[Jimurray]

2 hours ago, SH0102 said:

The NFHS rule book only uses the word “mouth” one time, and it is in 6-2 where it says a ball shall be added to the count every time a P goes to his mouth and does not distinctly wipe.

In NCAA and OBR, both lick and no wipe or lick while on the rubber, are a ball added to the count (new rule this year the P gets one warning first).

Back to NFHS rules, it does not say it’s a balk so I wouldn’t issue a balk, though I’ll readily admit I’m more versed in ncaa/OBR than NFHS so I might be missing an alternate rule, but I do know mouth is only used once in the rule book.

To your second question, a disengagement is an intentional act, a clear step backwards that occurs before any turn/jump/etc. A jump turn is always “from the rubber” and should be one base award for any runner should the throw go out of play after originating from the rubber .

NFHS has a convoluted interp that requires a balk when a pitcher goes to his mouth on the rubber with runners on. It’s considered the start of the pitch even thought they allow you to judge that going to his hat to adjust it is not the start of the pitch. Those of us hopeful that they would back off that interp were disappointed when they actually re enforced it in one year’s POEs. 

[Senor Azul]

A pitcher intentionally in contact with the pitcher’s plate may not go to his mouth in high school ball.

2023 6.2.1 Situation A:  With no runners on base, F1 places the pitching hand on the mouth and distinctly wipes off the pitching hand prior to touching the ball, (a) while not touching the pitcher’s plate, (b) while touching the pitcher’s plate. RULING:  (a) Legal; (b) illegal, and a ball shall be awarded to the batter’s count.

2023 6.2.1 Situation B:  With R1 at first, F1 places the pitching hand on the mouth and distinctly wipes off the pitching hand prior to touching the ball (a) while not touching the pitcher’s plate or (b) while touching the pitcher’s plate in the set position. RULING: Legal in (a). In (b), the pitcher has balked and R1 is awarded second base. (6-1-3)

2008 NFHS Baseball Rules Interpretations 

SITUATION 6:  While on the pitcher's plate in the windup position, the pitcher has both hands at his side or both hands together in front of his body. He brings his pitching hand to his mouth and then distinctly wipes it off. RULING:  This is an illegal pitch. Each runner on base would be awarded one base. If the bases were empty, a ball would be awarded to the batter. (6-1-2 Penalty)

SITUATION 7:  While on the pitching plate in the stretch position, the pitcher has the ball in his glove hand and his pitching hand is at his side or has hands together in front of his body. He brings his pitching hand to his mouth, distinctly wipes it off and returns it to his side. RULING:  This is an illegal pitch by the pitcher. A balk will be called if there are runners on base. If the bases are empty, a ball will be awarded to the batter. (6-1-3 Penalty)

SITUATION 8: While off the pitcher's plate, the pitcher goes to his mouth with his pitching hand, distinctly wipes it off and then legally engages the pitcher's plate. RULING: This is legal. (6-1, 6-2-1e)

[Jimurray]

3 hours ago, Senor Azul said:

A pitcher intentionally in contact with the pitcher’s plate may not go to his mouth in high school ball.

But he can go to his hat to adjust or to a sleeve to get it more free or just move his arm any which way to get comfortable on the plate as long as it doesnt look like the start of a pitch or coming set, EXCEPT if he goes to his mouth.

[MadMax]

18 hours ago, Jimurray said:

Those of us hopeful that they would back off that interp were disappointed when they actually re enforced it in one year’s POEs. 

I reacted with the Sad Emoji, because I actually wanted to use this one: 

It becomes a PITA when you've got a MiLB simulated game at 10:00am, a college game at 1pm or 2pm, and then a HS Varsity game at 6:00pm. 

And then, all these teenagers have the sniffles. Is the nose technically the mouth? 

[834k3r]

On 4/16/2023 at 12:13 AM, MadMax said:

I reacted with the Sad Emoji, because I actually wanted to use this one: 

It becomes a PITA when you've got a MiLB simulated game at 10:00am, a college game at 1pm or 2pm, and then a HS Varsity game at 6:00pm. 

And then, all these teenagers have the sniffles. Is the nose technically the mouth? 

At least you're paid well.

Wait. What's the approved mechanic for sarcasm?

[BLWizzRanger]

11 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

At least you're paid well.

Wait. What's the approved mechanic for sarcasm?

Blue text.

[noumpere]

11 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

At least you're paid well.

Wait. What's the approved mechanic for sarcasm?

I think it's just a mouse click on the "submit reply" button.