tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095009425937622616.post594518739009368748..comments2023-03-21T06:30:59.534-05:00Comments on Come on Blue!!! Tips and Stories from an Amateur Umpire: Are you sure you want me to call every balk?Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07817438833820372301noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095009425937622616.post-53414525797075898632010-12-09T18:08:17.010-06:002010-12-09T18:08:17.010-06:00In this situation, the pitcher's foot is consi...In this situation, the pitcher's foot is considered part of the natural playing field, as is the rubber on which he stands. It doesn't matter if the dropped ball lands on his foot, the rubber, or the dirt; once he steps on the rubber, assumes his pitching position, and drops the ball, if it passes the foul line before the third base bag, it's a pitch and a ball, and if it doesn't cross the foul line, it's a balk. The rule book (8.05k) makes no distinction between a dropped ball that hits the pitcher's foot and one that hits the rubber and caroms off into foul territory.<br /><br />Obviously, if a pitcher kicks a ball after he drops it mid-pitch, this would be a balk with runners on base, and an illegal pitch (a ball) with no one on. I'd also warn the pitcher that if he does it again, he's gone; kicking a baseball, especially when young kids are involved, is dangerous!Perry Barberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11508564357418157432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095009425937622616.post-25659669877496965652010-11-11T08:32:16.130-06:002010-11-11T08:32:16.130-06:00From what I have been taught, in the situation I a...From what I have been taught, in the situation I am talking about where the ball falls and just hits his foot, I believe it to be a balk. I do agree that if the pitcher makes a deliberate effort to kick the ball so the balk isn't called, then yes it would be a ball.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07817438833820372301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095009425937622616.post-86976612684280080762010-11-01T00:22:31.085-05:002010-11-01T00:22:31.085-05:00I'm not 100% sure of that.
If the ball crosses...I'm not 100% sure of that.<br />If the ball crosses the foul line, it is a pitch, and therefore a ball. If it does not, it is a balk. I agree so far.<br />BUT, does the fact that it hit his foot change that? If not, couldn't a pitcher who accidentally drops a ball, just kick it towards the catcher to only be charged with a ball and not a balk then? I would think that since it hit his foot, it becomes a balk then, no?Rulebook Guruhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04321498426010857086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7095009425937622616.post-47493423099826450892010-10-26T08:18:59.495-05:002010-10-26T08:18:59.495-05:00The correct call is a BALL. Once it crosses the f...The correct call is a BALL. Once it crosses the foul line, it becomes a legal pitch.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07817438833820372301noreply@blogger.com