1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Lesson 38:
A Situation 19 Balk Direct Step
Situation #19: Balk
There is probably no rule in baseball that causes more confusion than the balk rule. It is a rule that is intended to prevent the pitcher from illegally deceiving the runner and inhibiting his chances of stealing a base.
The rule requires the pitcher to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base.
The question becomes this: Does that first step have to be initiated by the free foot…in this case the pitcher’s left foot?
As you can see here, the pitcher’s first move is a step forward with his pivot foot. Is this a balk?
If you enforced the rule strictly, I certainly think you have to call this move a balk. This is a two-part move: the pivot foot moved forward before the free gained any direction and distance toward first. HOWEVER, this footwork has been legalized in professional baseball….
This is not a balk.
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Umpires Media presents, The Baseball Rules Explorer. Now the first digital baseball rule book with hundreds of HI Def video situations comprising the complete professional rule book. Our sample course is comprised of the enclosed video situations. Now get the full rule book for just $9.95/lifetime. Google Play: https://goo.gl/1gT9sE iTunes: https://t.co/SqvhoOcP01 Get in touch with us info@umpi...
