Rules Question

[localhighschoolsportsfan]

Over the weekend in the 18U Frankfort "Capital City Classic" we had a runner on second base only, the pitcher after coming set, raises his leg, our runner breaks for 3rd base and the pitcher (with foot still on rubber) throws over to third. The 3rd baseman is standing there waiting on our runner to get there and tags him out. It was my understanding that a pitcher is not allowed to throw to an unoccupied base, and is this case 3rd base was unoccupied. The umpire claims that this rule went into effect a couple years ago that allowed the pitcher to do this, only if he was attempting to make a play.

 

Anyone want to chime in on this one???

 

If this is the case, we need to train our right-handed pitchers to raise the leg, hold to see if the runner from second breaks and if he does throw to third base, if not throw to the plate?????

[localhighschoolsportsfan]

Over the weekend in the 18U Frankfort "Capital City Classic" we had a runner on second base only, the pitcher after coming set, raises his leg, our runner breaks for 3rd base and the pitcher (with foot still on rubber) throws over to third. The 3rd baseman is standing there waiting on our runner to get there and tags him out. It was my understanding that a pitcher is not allowed to throw to an unoccupied base, and is this case 3rd base was unoccupied. The umpire claims that this rule went into effect a couple years ago that allowed the pitcher to do this, only if he was attempting to make a play.

 

Anyone want to chime in on this one???

 

If this is the case, we need to train our right-handed pitchers to raise the leg, hold to see if the runner from second breaks and if he does throw to third base, if not throw to the plate?????

[nkuclubbaseball19]

Should have been a balk. You cannot throw to an unoccupied base.

[Spartan79]

It is not a balk. This was discussed with rule notation in a previous post. One question I do have is, did the pitcher after lifting his leg start towards home and where did his foot land upon throwing to third?

[Clyde]

Should have been a balk. You cannot throw to an unoccupied base.

 

That's incorrect yet what many think.

 

The rule states that you cannot throw to an unoccupied base UNLESS you are making a play on a runner.

[Clyde]

 

If this is the case, we need to train our right-handed pitchers to raise the leg, hold to see if the runner from second breaks and if he does throw to third base, if not throw to the plate?????

 

Its an under-utilized move. The better move is to set him up by only looking back once and then going home. On the next pitch,look back once , raise the leg and then turn. More often than not the runner is dead.

[Copperhead]

yes, it is legal if your attempting to make a play but when the leg comes up im pretty sure he can only hold it up for one second and then he has to pitch or pick off.

[Clyde]

yes, it is legal if your attempting to make a play but when the leg comes up im pretty sure he can only hold it up for one second and then he has to pitch or pick off.

 

There is no "one second" limit.

 

Essentially, the rule says its a balk if you make any motion associated with going to the plate and then fail to do so.

[sportsnut859]

There is no "one second" limit.

 

Essentially, the rule says its a balk if you make any motion associated with going to the plate and then fail to do so.

 

Bingo.

[frank_davis]

It's not a good idea to raise the leg and hold it up until you decide if the runner is going because stopping the motion is a balk as well.

[jpa2825]

If the P has not committed to go elsewhere PRIOR to the runner breaking from 2nd toward 3rd (whether the front leg is up in the air or not), he is free to make a play to any occupied base. In this instance, both 2B (where he's coming from) and 3B (where he's going to) are both considered occupied for this purpose. Same ruling if the runner on 2B takes off before P even comes set. While normally you teach to step off the rubber and throw to 3B, he would be allowed to throw to 3B directly.

[Clyde]

If the P has not committed to go elsewhere PRIOR to the runner breaking from 2nd toward 3rd (whether the front leg is up in the air or not), he is free to make a play to any occupied base. In this instance, both 2B (where he's coming from) and 3B (where he's going to) are both considered occupied for this purpose. Same ruling if the runner on 2B takes off before P even comes set. While normally you teach to step off the rubber and throw to 3B, he would be allowed to throw to 3B directly.

 

Overall you are correct. However, 3B would not be considered occupied simply because a runner was going to it. The rule gives the caveat of "excpet to make a play on a runner." It wouldn't need that caveat if the base was considered occupied.

[Clyde]

It's not a good idea to raise the leg and hold it up until you decide if the runner is going because stopping the motion is a balk as well.

 

I know of no wording in the rulebook that prevents a pitcher from hesitating. The only time it would be a balk would be if he started his motion to the plate and then never delivered the pitch.

 

If you know of wording point me to it. I just re-read the balk section of OBR and it didn't address the situation above.

[CCHS_Dad]

8.01 b - end of the first paragraph

 

"After assuming Set Position, any natural motion associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without alteration or interruption."

[Clyde]

8.01 b - end of the first paragraph

 

"After assuming Set Position, any natural motion associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without alteration or interruption."

 

Why is a hesitation considered an interruption?

 

Does it mean "before" starting to the plate or (as I read it) "after" starting towards the plate?

 

You haven't seen MLB pitchers who hesitate ?