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TOPIC: Right Handed Pitcher Balk |
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| Coach
June 2, 2011
9:55:34 AM
Entry #: 3738027
| In our game last night, A right handed pitcher made a pick-off move to 1st Base without moving his right foot. The pitcher just moved his left foot towards 1st base and threw over. His right foot was in contact with the rubber the whole time. No Balk was called, when asked I was told that he did not have to move the right foot.
My understanding of the pick off move for a right handed pitcher is that the right foot has to move first, then the left. Please clarify for me.
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| Dan Y
June 2, 2011
3:09:22 PM
Entry #: 3738342
| A pitcher is required to step to the base with his non-pivot foot in the direction of and gaining distance towards the base he is throwing to. There is no requirement that the pivot foot come off of the rubber. While this is a very awkward way of throwing to the base, it is certainly legal.
Rules 8.01(c) and 8.05(c)
Dan Y.
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| Coach
June 2, 2011
4:39:04 PM
Entry #: 3738426
| I always thought that on a move to first base the right-handed pitcher had to disengage from the rubber? Is that not true?
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| Roy Cross
June 3, 2011
9:01:02 AM
Entry #: 3738764
| As explained previously by Dan Y., you need to look at the rule as it is published. What "we think" does not matter. This goes for umpires also.
More to the point of your question, the rules do not differentiate between a right-handed or left-handed pitcher.
The rules do differentiate the requirements when throwing to 1st base as opposed to 2nd or 3rd base. An example is that when a pitcher's foot is engaged on the rubber and an attempt to throw to 3rd base is made, the only requirement is that the non-pivot foot must show a step toward 3rd base - but a throw to the base is not required. The same situation with the foot enganged on the rubber when throwing to 1st base not only requires that the non-pivot foot must show a step toward the 1st base - BUT ALSO that the ball must be thrown to the base.
In any case - please read the rule and then follow up with any additional questions.
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| Dan Y.
June 3, 2011
9:05:15 AM
Entry #: 3738768
| The pitcher, regardless of which hand he throws with or which base he steps to, is not required to disengage from the rubber as part of a throw or feint to a base.
The pitcher is required to be off the rubber before receiving the ball back from the catcher or another fielder, however there is no penalty for failing to do so. The umpire should call time, remind the pitcher that they can not do that, then ejected for repeated violation.
The only time you could have a balk in this situation is if a pitcher did a "fake to third, then throw to first" move. In this situation, if the pitcher never disengaged from the rubber (something that would almost be impossible to do) then it would be a balk as the pitcher stepped to third, and then still as a pitcher, threw to first. By disengaging as a part of the fake to third, he stops being a pitcher, and the throw to first is as an infielder.
However, in any normal throw or fake to a base, a pitcher is not required to disengage from the rubber as part of the throw or fake.
Dan Y.
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| Coach
June 3, 2011
1:49:58 PM
Entry #: 3738977
| We did have the situation where the player faked to third and then threw to first without disengaging his right foot. No Balk was called. That wasn't correct.
For picking someone off at first, what I am reading from you and other sources is that you do not have to disengage your right foot as long as you step towards first base. What if he steps somewhere inbetween home and first? Would that not be a Balk? Your shoulder could not move foward correct?
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| Confused
June 3, 2011
4:13:21 PM
Entry #: 3739080
| It is virtually physically impossible to step toward third base, turn in the opposite direction, and throw to first base without at some point disengaging from the rubber.
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| Dan Y.
June 5, 2011
9:05:04 AM
Entry #: 3739679
| When judging if a pitcher stepped towards home or 1st base, umpires use what is called the 45° line. Basically, run a line off of the front left corner of the pitching rubber at a 45° angle towards the foul line between home and first. The pitcher is required to have his free foot land on the 1st base side of this line.
Dan Y.
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