I would like clarification of balk rule for pitching from set position. Specifically, from the time the pitcher contacts the rubber, but prior to moving to the set position. What movement is legal? What movement is a balk? I have read and heard some say that the pitcher is allowed liberal movement of shoulders, glove arm/hand, bending at waist, etc. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have seen many UA-cam balk compilations where balks are called when the pitcher barely flinches from this position with one arm at his side and before making his (stretch) motion to his set position. From this position, we know: • fumbling the ball is a balk, • moving the pivot foot in any direction other than directly back off rubber, except in making a legal movement to throw or fake to a base, is a balk. • the rules say that he must move to the set position (hands together) in one continuous, uninterrupted motion, which may include a preliminary, natural "stretch" motion. I am trying to understand the difference between allowable liberal movement before movement to set position and the seemingly very picky and numerous balk examples on UA-cam (many examples before pitcher's set position; ie, foot on rubber and arm at side)
It is a balk if the pitcher stands on or astride the rubber without the ball. Merely standing on the mound does not constitute a balk. The umpire can not put the ball in play until the pitcher has the ball and is in contact with the rubber, not the mound. Words mean things.
Good video, however from what I was told from my ump association is that taking a sign while not on the rubber is technically not a balk. It’s a “don’t do that”. I always thought it was a balk until I called one and took it to my umpire association where I was told it isn’t a balk but something you aren’t allowed to do as weird as that sounds. I guess technically you could call one if they continued to do it after numerous warnings
Dragon idk why they are saying it's not a balk. Rule 6.1 states the the pitcher shall take his signs from the catcher with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate. Good luck with your decision with whatever you decide with what you wanna call it. This is what makes umpiring so difficult when everyone's doing something different.
@@chrisdenton5982 The rule does not prevent the pitcher from taking signs prior to contacting the rubber. But the pitcher must retake signs once in contact with the rubber (or at least pretend to) so that the runners have time to fairly take their leads and to prevent quick pitching the batter. That is what I have been taught.
Couple of problems wrong with this vid....first of which, we would NEVER signal 'play' if f1 does not have the ball in his possession AND has not engaged the pitchers plate.
The last one was not a balk he can move that front foot as many times as he wants before he comes set. What if he’s finding placement for that front foot and it takes 3 little steps to find the perfect groove and then comes set and then delivers? Pitching is all about being deceptive which is why most can’t do it. And then there limited by umpires who can’t pitch or play the game. The game has evolved for those who can play next level. Also there is a 45 degree angle to pick off to third that’s NOT a balk.
MLB rules state pitcher cannot be on the rubber without the ball. Without the ball, the pitcher can be on the mound, not on the rubber. There is no rules mention of the mound or dirt or being outside a circle.
wdilks, To be more accurate, under OBR, the pitcher cannot be on or astride the rubber without the ball. Under NCAA rules, the pitcher cannot be on the mound without the ball, so the guy in the video was correct for NCAA ball. Under NFHS rules the pitcher cannot be within 5 feet of the rubber without the ball.
Great video!! The balk is one of the hardest things to call for a newer umpire!!
Chris Denton I blaked on my game on accident
I would like clarification of balk rule for pitching from set position. Specifically, from the time the pitcher contacts the rubber, but prior to moving to the set position. What movement is legal? What movement is a balk?
I have read and heard some say that the pitcher is allowed liberal movement of shoulders, glove arm/hand, bending at waist, etc.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have seen many UA-cam balk compilations where balks are called when the pitcher barely flinches from this position with one arm at his side and before making his (stretch) motion to his set position.
From this position, we know:
• fumbling the ball is a balk,
• moving the pivot foot in any direction other than directly back off rubber, except in making a legal movement to throw or fake to a base, is a balk.
• the rules say that he must move to the set position (hands together) in one continuous, uninterrupted motion, which may include a preliminary, natural "stretch" motion.
I am trying to understand the difference between allowable liberal movement before movement to set position and the seemingly very picky and numerous balk examples on UA-cam (many examples before pitcher's set position; ie, foot on rubber and arm at side)
Very helpful!!
It is a balk if the pitcher stands on or astride the rubber without the ball. Merely standing on the mound does not constitute a balk. The umpire can not put the ball in play until the pitcher has the ball and is in contact with the rubber, not the mound. Words mean things.
Good video, however from what I was told from my ump association is that taking a sign while not on the rubber is technically not a balk. It’s a “don’t do that”. I always thought it was a balk until I called one and took it to my umpire association where I was told it isn’t a balk but something you aren’t allowed to do as weird as that sounds. I guess technically you could call one if they continued to do it after numerous warnings
Dragon idk why they are saying it's not a balk. Rule 6.1 states the the pitcher shall take his signs from the catcher with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate. Good luck with your decision with whatever you decide with what you wanna call it. This is what makes umpiring so difficult when everyone's doing something different.
@@chrisdenton5982 The rule does not prevent the pitcher from taking signs prior to contacting the rubber. But the pitcher must retake signs once in contact with the rubber (or at least pretend to) so that the runners have time to fairly take their leads and to prevent quick pitching the batter. That is what I have been taught.
Couple of problems wrong with this vid....first of which, we would NEVER signal 'play' if f1 does not have the ball in his possession AND has not engaged the pitchers plate.
The last one was not a balk he can move that front foot as many times as he wants before he comes set. What if he’s finding placement for that front foot and it takes 3 little steps to find the perfect groove and then comes set and then delivers? Pitching is all about being deceptive which is why most can’t do it. And then there limited by umpires who can’t pitch or play the game. The game has evolved for those who can play next level. Also there is a 45 degree angle to pick off to third that’s NOT a balk.
Well done
u guys always do a mustang shoulder movenent....i balk the smallest movement of the shoulder
What's the purpose of the balk rules?
💪🏽
Difference between on the rubber and connected to the rubber.
So just to clarify, you HAVE to throw to third now?
NFHS rules? ...then, no....
only if using MLB rules
the pitcher HAS to be on the RUBBER (not just mound) with the ball for the umpire to put the ball in play.
The set must have the heel of the glove at or below chin level.
Is that written somewhere? I have never heard that.
nice audio.
MLB rules state pitcher cannot be on the rubber without the ball. Without the ball, the pitcher can be on the mound, not on the rubber. There is no rules mention of the mound or dirt or being outside a circle.
wdilks, To be more accurate, under OBR, the pitcher cannot be on or astride the rubber without the ball. Under NCAA rules, the pitcher cannot be on the mound without the ball, so the guy in the video was correct for NCAA ball. Under NFHS rules the pitcher cannot be within 5 feet of the rubber without the ball.
I’m a pitcher for the royals
How can the umpire put the ball into play If the pitcher doesn't have the ball and is not on the rubber????? Hey video dude blow your nose!!!!
He cannot. It has to be a live ball at the time. Play is not automatically dead between each pitch or play.
@@wdilks You are wrong. The ball is not automatically dead between each pitch or play. From where do you get this nonsense?