Opening shoulders - balk?

[joe0x7f]

Hello Everyone,

In Jim Evan's excellent balk video he shows that a pitcher cannot legally open his shoulders toward 1st base, BUT the pitcher in Jim's video is shown in the set position with his hands together. Reference: 27:53 (mm:ss) point of Jim's Video.

In the old NFHS pitching DVD (Pitching by The Rules), they say that the pitcher cannot open his shoulders to check a runner when he is in contact with the rubber. The pitcher shown does not have his hands together but his feet are on the rubber. Reference: 12:42 (mm:ss) point of this old NFHS video.

I SEE THIS A LOT: A pitcher is in the stretch position without his hands not together yet and he turns his lead shoulder to check the runner at first base - and a balk is not called. ~12u.

Is this a balk?

Both videos show that the pitcher has to be in contact with the rubber for this to be a balk, but Jim's video is unclear if this is a balk if the pitcher's hands have to be together or not.

Thanks!!!

Joe
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[dash_riprock]

Hello Everyone,

In Jim Evan's excellent balk video he shows that a pitcher cannot legally open his shoulders toward 1st base, BUT the pitcher in Jim's video is shown in the set position with his hands together. Reference: 27:53 (mm:ss) point of Jim's Video.

In the old NFHS pitching DVD (Pitching by The Rules), they say that the pitcher cannot open his shoulders to check a runner when he is in contact with the rubber. The pitcher shown does not have his hands together but his feet are on the rubber. Reference: 12:42 (mm:ss) point of this old NFHS video.

I SEE THIS A LOT: A pitcher is in the stretch position without his hands not together yet and he turns his lead shoulder to check the runner at first base - and a balk is not called. ~12u.

Is this a balk?

Both videos show that the pitcher has to be in contact with the rubber for this to be a balk, but Jim's video is unclear if this is a balk if the pitcher's hands have to be together or not.

Thanks!!!

Joe
--------------

They changed this FED rule a few years ago. F1 can now legally turn his shoulders to check a runner until he brings his hands together.

[joe0x7f]

Thanks Dash!

So in college and the pros, is it legal to open the shoulders until the hands come together?

Thanks!!!

Joe
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[dash_riprock]

Thanks Dash!

So in college and the pros, is it legal to open the shoulders until the hands come together?

Thanks!!!

Joe
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Unlike FED, the other codes do not specifically prohibit turning the shoulders. Therefore, turning the shoulders is legal until F1 stops.

[bobjenkins]

Unlike FED, the other codes do not specifically prohibit turning the shoulders. Therefore, turning the shoulders is legal until F1 stops.

... unless the umpire judges the turn to be a feint to first.

As a practical matter, more leeway is given before the set than after, and more leeway is given to younger players than to the pros.

[heyblue26]

... unless the umpire judges the turn to be a feint to first.

As a practical matter, more leeway is given before the set than after, and more leeway is given to younger players than to the pros.

I agree what you have said here but I have also read that it is difficult for a right handed pitcher not to turn his right shoulder to some extent when checking the runner at 1st base. Do I miss interupt something?

[bobjenkins]

I agree what you have said here but I have also read that it is difficult for a right handed pitcher not to turn his right shoulder to some extent when checking the runner at 1st base. Do I miss interupt something?

No, you have it correct. At the MLB level, pitchers are skilled / experienced enough that they can look with all-but-imperceptible movement. At the levels most of us do, some movement will likely occur. Just judge whether that movement is a feint.

[heyblue26]

No, you have it correct. At the MLB level, pitchers are skilled / experienced enough that they can look with all-but-imperceptible movement. At the levels most of us do, some movement will likely occur. Just judge whether that movement is a feint.

Thanks for the feed back thats what I thought.