Tricking the runner on second using the windup position.

[Boylumpia]

Scenario: 

There's a runner on second. I, the pitcher, decided to step on the rubber using the wind-up position.

The runner thinks he can run to third as he sees me on the wind-up. 

So, he ran. Then I, on the wind-up with both hands in front of my body. Disengages the rubber using my pivot foot and put down both of my hands to the sides and then try throwing the runner out going third base. 

I was wondering if this is legal or not? 

[noumpere]

Legal, as described.

 

1) you don't need to put your hands down to your sides

2) You can even step and throw to third without disengaging in OBR (disengaging is required under NFHS)

[Jimurray]

3 hours ago, Boylumpia said:

Scenario: 

There's a runner on second. I, the pitcher, decided to step on the rubber using the wind-up position.

The runner thinks he can run to third as he sees me on the wind-up. 

So, he ran. Then I, on the wind-up with both hands in front of my body. Disengages the rubber using my pivot foot and put down both of my hands to the sides and then try throwing the runner out going third base. 

I was wondering if this is legal or not? 

What you describe is legal but in some amateur leagues with untrained umpires you will see an illegal move that is used with R3. The pitcher has his hands together in a windup position and starts them up as he steps off hoping that R3 will extend seeing the arm movement as the start of the pitch. That's a balk but some in some amateur leagues it won't be balked because "he stepped off".

[The Man in Blue]

As long as you disengaged BEFORE making any other motions, you are good.

If you started to move and then disengaged, BALK!

[Boylumpia]

On 9/2/2023 at 8:06 PM, noumpere said:

Legal, as described.

 

1) you don't need to put your hands down to your sides

2) You can even step and throw to third without disengaging in OBR (disengaging is required under NFHS)

Thanks for answering my question, sir! I was a bit embarrassed when I did the play the other day, they thought I didn't know what I was talking about. They said if I'm on the wind-up, there's nothing I couldn't do more and I can only throw against the batter directly. It was only a slightly competitive pick-up game with friends and family, though.

On 9/2/2023 at 10:45 PM, Jimurray said:

What you describe is legal but in some amateur leagues with untrained umpires you will see an illegal move that is used with R3. The pitcher has his hands together in a windup position and starts them up as he steps off hoping that R3 will extend seeing the arm movement as the start of the pitch. That's a balk but some in some amateur leagues it won't be balked because "he stepped off".

My exact thoughts. After the balk is called in my game, I thought about doing the same thing picking the runner on third, but I was afraid that they're gonna call it a balk again. The umpires who called it had officiating experiences but, probably not that much. They thought I was a fool for insisting that it was legal. Guess I was right all along. Thank you, sir!

 

22 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

As long as you disengaged BEFORE making any other motions, you are good.

If you started to move and then disengaged, BALK!

I, thank you for taking the time to answer my inquiry, sir! I'll bear that in mind.