question for the pitchers and umpires

[tigervol9802]

How is Steven Rodriguez's (Florida reliever) delivery out of the stretch not a balk every time?

It seems to me his leg kick and motion to come set is to deceive the runner. I know its got to be legal, but would like for someone to explain why.

 

[RodDRfromTNinKY]

How is Steven Rodriguez's (Florida reliever) delivery out of the stretch not a balk every time?

It seems to me his leg kick and motion to come set is to deceive the runner. I know its got to be legal, but would like for someone to explain why.

Hard to balk before coming set (possible) and as long as the he does it every time and his body doesn't shift toward first it's okay. Haven't been able too see it though. Just going general from my college days playing. Someone has seen it might be able to help you better
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[tripper]

Not set. And his right foot would have to come behind the pitcher's plate (rubber) which would mean he would have to deliver the ball to homeplate for it to be a balk. His right foot does not break that plane.

 

[tigervol9802]

Not set. And his right foot would have to come behind the pitcher's plate (rubber) which would mean he would have to deliver the ball to homeplate for it to be a balk. His right foot does not break that plane.

That makes sense. Its just so weird of a delivery it threw me off. I knew there was a reason, I just had forgotten what it was.
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[NYYVol]

without seeing it, (will google it shortly) as long as it's the same each and every time, it is fine and not a balk.
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[volshogs]

I thought it was a balk for two reasons, but admit I don't know the NCAA rulebook well and my college pitching days are sadly 21 years behind me (I'm old):

1. Unnecessary delaying of the game (the motion serves no purpose, other than perhaps to deceive the runner and/or prevent a good jump which is illegal).
2. Deliberately simulating a pitch to deceive the runner. I don't know how to argue that this guy is not simulating the start of a pitch. I understand that the pitcher is not obligated to go home with the ball if the right leg does not cross the rubber, but I think the move is quite deceptive (it was to me, I screamed balk when he did it the first time). Most true base stealers go on first movement. I would have liked to see a call tonight if a Vandy baserunner had broken on that move, only to have the pitcher step off the rubber and throw him out. I don't know how you don't call a balk then.

I would welcome some dialogue from more knowledgeable fans as I've been wondering about this tonight as well.

 

[Recoil]

If you aren't cheating you aren't trying. He was trying to get as close to that imaginary 45* angle between 1st base and home plate as possible. Lefties like Andy Pettitte are masters at this.

The best way for guys who lack that good of a pick off move is to vary your looks, vary your hold times, change your leg kick (slide step vs. leg kick). As a pitcher, one of the most productive ways to stop the running game is to hold the ball.

 

[NYYVol]

If you aren't cheating you aren't trying. He was trying to get as close to that imaginary 45* angle between 1st base and home plate as possible. Lefties like Andy Pettitte are masters at this.

The best way for guys who lack that good of a pick off move is to vary your looks, vary your hold times, change your leg kick (slide step vs. leg kick). As a pitcher, one of the most productive ways to stop the running game is to hold the ball.

It is good to vary times in the running game. With that said, I absolutely hate to see pitchers work themselves completely out of rhythm over a baserunner. Especially when they drag out innings. At the end of the day it usually boils down to one simple thought... The longer I'm out here, the greater chance I have of screwing up.
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[hog88]

I screamed Balk with his first pitch myself. Then watched the replay (the guys in the booth sounded like they thought it was a balk also) his motion is boarderline in my eyes but legal.

 

[tigervol9802]

Ole Miss had a guy a few years ago who did a double-leg kick out of the stretch. He did it every time, but for the life of me I could not figure out how it was allowed.

Both of these guys are lefties too.

 

[NYYVol]

Ole Miss had a guy a few years ago who did a double-leg kick out of the stretch. He did it every time, but for the life of me I could not figure out how it was allowed.

Both of these guys are lefties too.

The problem with balks is that 99% of them are strictly judgment calls.
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