LHP - Balk or no Balk

[Crusaders Baseball]

USSSA rules - 10U Baseball

LHP on the bump, runner at 1B. Pitcher comes set, never looks at 1B. Pitcher begins motion with eyes on catcher and throws to 1B. Glove side leg not even close to 45 degree angle, more like 20 degrees. Runner at 1B out easily but umpire calls balk. Says he deceived the runner by not looking at 1B. What's the rule or the call?

[SH0102]

19 minutes ago, Crusaders Baseball said:

USSSA rules - 10U Baseball

LHP on the bump, runner at 1B. Pitcher comes set, never looks at 1B. Pitcher begins motion with eyes on catcher and throws to 1B. Glove side leg not even close to 45 degree angle, more like 20 degrees. Runner at 1B out easily but umpire calls balk. Says he deceived the runner by not looking at 1B. What's the rule or the call?

Might be a balk for failing to step toward first, but not looking at first has nothing to do with it.

[noumpere]

11 minutes ago, SH0102 said:

Might be a balk for failing to step toward first, but not looking at first has nothing to do with it.

Nor does "deceiving the runner"

[Replacematt]

Quote

6.02 Pitcher Illegal Action (a) Balks

If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when:

(1) The pitcher, while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make such delivery;
Rule 6.02(a)(1) Comment: If a left-handed or right-handed pitcher swings his free foot past the back edge of the pitcher’s rubber, he is required to pitch to the batter except to throw to second base on a pick-off play.

 

(2) The pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first or third base and fails to complete the throw;

(3) The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base;
Rule 6.02(a)(3) Comment: Requires the pitcher, while touching his plate, to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base. If a pitcher turns or spins off of his free foot without actually stepping or if he turns his body and throws before stepping, it is a balk. A pitcher is to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base and is required to throw (except to second base) because he steps. It is a balk if, with runners on first and third, the pitcher steps toward third and does not throw, merely to bluff the runner back to third; then seeing the runner on first start for second, turn and step toward and throw to first base. It is legal for a pitcher to feint a throw to second base.

(4) The pitcher, while touching his plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play;
Rule 6.02(a)(4) Comment: When determining whether the pitcher throws or feints a throw to an unoccupied base for the purpose of making a play, the umpire should consider whether a runner on the previous base demonstrates or otherwise creates an impression of his intent to advance to such unoccupied base.

(5) The pitcher makes an illegal pitch;
Rule 6.02(a)(5) Comment: A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter’s box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted.

(6) The pitcher delivers the ball to the batter while he is not facing the batter;

(7) The pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch while he is not touching the pitcher’s plate;

(8) The pitcher unnecessarily delays the game;
Rule 6.02(a)(8) Comment: Rule 6.02(a)(8) shall not apply when a warning is given pursuant to Rule 6.02(c)(8) (which prohibits intentional delay of a game by throwing to fielders not in an attempt to put a runner out). If a pitcher is ejected pursuant to Rule 6.02(c)(8) for continuing to delay the game, the penalty in Rule 6.02(a)(8) shall also apply. Rule 5.07(c) (which sets a time limit for a pitcher to deliver the ball when the bases are unoccupied) applies only when there are no runners on base.

(9) The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher’s plate or while off the plate, he feints a pitch;

(10) The pitcher, after coming to a legal pitching position, removes one hand from the ball other than in an actual pitch, or in throwing to a base;

(11) The pitcher, while touching his plate, accidentally or intentionally has the ball slip or fall out of his hand or glove;

(12) The pitcher, while giving an intentional base on balls, pitches when the catcher is not in the catcher’s box;

(13) The pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a stop.

These are the thirteen ways a pitcher can balk. Nowhere does it say anything about looking at the runner or not.

[Crusaders Baseball]

Thanks everyone. in This instance, he did step towards 1B. My mention of the angle in which he did so was just so everyone understood that he did not step towards home plate. 

Balk number (6) is interesting and I am assuming judgement. When does the pitcher have to look at the batter? At any time after he comes set or does he have to look during delivery? You see so many lefties looking at 1B after the umpire has called time and the batter is not even in the box. Then they begin deliver and look at home plate. 

[SeeingEyeDog]

And we do NOT discuss the 45 foot line or 45 degree angle off the rubber when discussing our call with a coach. We simply say, "Coach, in my judgement, I have him stepping to the plate and throwing to {insert base here}. By rule, I have a balk." or..."Coach, in my judgement, I have him stepping to {insert base here} and delivering to the plate. By rule, I have a balk."

~Dawg

[Replacematt]

7 hours ago, Crusaders Baseball said:

Thanks everyone. in This instance, he did step towards 1B. My mention of the angle in which he did so was just so everyone understood that he did not step towards home plate. 

Balk number (6) is interesting and I am assuming judgement. When does the pitcher have to look at the batter? At any time after he comes set or does he have to look during delivery? You see so many lefties looking at 1B after the umpire has called time and the batter is not even in the box. Then they begin deliver and look at home plate. 

It means that the pitcher can't start reversed on the mound. It has nothing to do with where they are looking or not.

[noumpere]

7 hours ago, Replacematt said:

It means that the pitcher can't start reversed on the mound. It has nothing to do with where they are looking or not.

Agreed.  From JEA:

 

8.05(f) If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher delivers the ball to the batter while he is not facing the batter.

 

Cross References: 8.01(a, b)

 

Historical Notes: In 1899, the rulesmakers outlawed a practice which was a carryover from the days when pitchers used rather unorthodox deliveries, officially referred to in early rule books as freak deliveries. Prior to 1893, the pitchers delivered from an area known as the pitcher's box. This rectangular box allowed pitchers to take steps and turn their backs to the batter as they approached the front line of the box. In 1893, the pitcher's box was replaced with the pitcher's plate (rubber). The rules of delivery changed as pitchers were now required to maintain contact with this plate until actually delivering the ball. In addition, they were required to face the batter during their delivery.

 

Officially, it was not until 1899 that the rules specified that a balk shall be called if the pitcher was not facing the batter when he delivered the pitch.

 

This particular provision officially adopted in 1899 drew lots of attention and was strictly enforced. The penalty of "balk" seemed severe but proved effective as a deterrent. In 1920, additional rules were adopted to prohibit "freak" deliveries. This was when spitballs and unorthodox wind-ups were made illegal.

 

Professional Interpretation: Today's rules requiring the pitcher to properly engage his pivot foot on the rubber and properly place his free foot precludes the possibility of delivering the ball to the batter without the pitcher facing him.

 

Umpires should pay close attention to the placement of the pitcher's feet.

[grayhawk]

USSSA is a place where players are learning. Clearly, it's also a place where umpires are learning.