balk or not ?

[grozzly]

Hi everyone,

I saw this on a french Elite game today. 
Exited to read what you think about this  move towards first base to retire R1.

[grayhawk]

Balk.

5.07(a)(2): Preparatory to coming to a set position, the pitcher shall have one hand on his side; from this position he shall go to his set position as defined in Rule 5.07(a)(2) without interruption and in one continuous motion.

[maven]

I agree it's a balk, but for a different reason. He does not step directly to the base. Instead he lifts the free foot as if to start the pitch, and only then steps to the base.

It is possible for a RHP to pick to 1B without using a jump turn or jab step, but it's MUCH slower. That's why all pro RHP use the jump turn or jab step. Whenever a RHP lifts the free foot without moving it toward 1B, he's committed to pitch to the batter.

Same ruling, all codes.

[jimurrayalterego]

1 hour ago, grayhawk said:

Balk.

5.07(a)(2): Preparatory to coming to a set position, the pitcher shall have one hand on his side; from this position he shall go to his set position as defined in Rule 5.07(a)(2) without interruption and in one continuous motion.

 

45 minutes ago, maven said:

I agree it's a balk, but for a different reason. He does not step directly to the base. Instead he lifts the free foot as if to start the pitch, and only then steps to the base.

It is possible for a RHP to pick to 1B without using a jump turn or jab step, but it's MUCH slower. That's why all pro RHP use the jump turn or jab step. Whenever a RHP lifts the free foot without moving it toward 1B, he's committed to pitch to the batter.

Same ruling, all codes.

I think we allow pitchers to pick or step off to pick during their motion to come set. But it seems most of the time that MLB umps perceive it as starting and stopping.

Since he was set it's not starting to pitch but I agree oit's not a direct step.

[grayhawk]

1 hour ago, maven said:

I agree it's a balk, but for a different reason. He does not step directly to the base. Instead he lifts the free foot as if to start the pitch, and only then steps to the base.

It is possible for a RHP to pick to 1B without using a jump turn or jab step, but it's MUCH slower. That's why all pro RHP use the jump turn or jab step. Whenever a RHP lifts the free foot without moving it toward 1B, he's committed to pitch to the batter.

Same ruling, all codes.

I thought of that as well, but since he hasn't come set yet, I went with the interruption.

[The Man in Blue]

Y'all will point out why I am wrong, but here's why I have a balk . . . 

What got me was the way he lifted the front foot.  That wasn't a step into coming set.  That lift and knee bend was a "natural motion associated with his delivery."  (That applies after he takes the set position, not after he comes set.) 

[jimurrayalterego]

1 hour ago, The Man in Blue said:

Y'all will point out why I am wrong, but here's why I have a balk . . . 

What got me was the way he lifted the front foot.  That wasn't a step into coming set.  That lift and knee bend was a "natural motion associated with his delivery."  (That applies after he takes the set position, not after he comes set.) 

He wasn't set yet. He wasn't delivering a pitch yet unless he declared windup (not likely). He's just a pitcher on the rubber who does not step directly to the base when picking off.

[noumpere]

If the pitcher made the same motion but threw to third would we allow it (assuming an R3, of course)?

[The Man in Blue]

On 7/20/2025 at 9:37 PM, jimurrayalterego said:

He wasn't set yet. He wasn't delivering a pitch yet unless he declared windup (not likely). He's just a pitcher on the rubber who does not step directly to the base when picking off.

Look at the language in the book. OBR doesn’t say after he comes set, it says once he is in the set position.