BBlover

LHP

Zach Friend committed to FGCU during his visit this week.

The MLB umpire you are referring to last umpired in 1998. I have no idea how the rules were written 15 years ago. I am reading and citing the current rule book that states you must throw to the base you step toward if you throw. Second base does not require you make a throw, but it does not state that second base is exempt of the rule stating you must throw to the base you step toward if you do indeed throw. Not to mention it would be virtually impossible for a right handed pitcher to perform the wheel move stepping directly to second and throw to the SS position.

(a) The pitcher, while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make such delivery; Rule 8.05(a) Comment: If a lefthanded or righthanded 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. (b) The pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first base and fails to complete the throw; © The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base; Rule 8.05© 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 but does not require him to throw (except to first base only) because he steps. It is possible, with runners on first and third, for the pitcher to step toward third and 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. This is legal. However, if, with runners on first and third, the pitcher, while in contact with the rubber, steps toward third and then immediately and in practically the same motion “wheels” and throws to first base, it is obviously an attempt to deceive the runner at first base, and in such a move it is practically impossible to step directly toward first base before the throw to first base, and such a move shall be called a balk. Of course, if the pitcher steps off the rubber and then makes such a move, it is not a balk. If the pitcher does not step directly to second it is a balk. The pitcher must step directly to the base before throwing to that "BASE". Stepping does not require you to throw to second or third, but the rule states if you do, you throw to "that base". You could theoretically step toward second and not throw (this would complete the requirement) and in another play throw to the SS.

It is true for 2nd base. All pickoffs must be made or "feinted" to the base. You can fake to second and then throw to the shortstop. But you must perform all pickoffs or fakes to the base, including stepping directly to the base. Spinning and throwing to the shortstop at his normal position is absolutely a balk.

All pickoffs must be made to the base, not a fielder, unless the pitcher steps off first. A spin move to second and throwing to the shortstop at his position, is indeed a balk, as it was not directed to a base.

12-5 when it happened. Once Cooper got up ten the third base coach "called off the dogs". The score could have been much worse. They had bases loaded and would advance one base on balls hit over outfielders heads.

Two problems I have with it. First, the kids who "lose" their spot due to the "new" freshman players. This is an end of season tournament, the kids who have worked their butts off for this team and school should be rewarded with playing in this tournament. Second, not all schools will allow it. Every school has several, 4-7 freshman players, that are "playing up". Not all, and in fact, most schools will not allow those players to come back and play in the freshman tourney. Beechwood, Ryle and Cooper I know have stud pitchers on the JV and V levels who would provide a tremendous boost to their tournament roster, but will not be allowed to play in the frosh tourney.

Who is the Cooper freshman coach?

No details on this one

Close game until the 6th