Expert: Martin Hoover - 4/19/2008

Question
QUESTION: I know there is no balk rule in the Majors division but are there not illegal pitch rules? An oposing pitcher today would initiate contact w/ the rubber w/ his hand and the ball already in his mitt. He would then remove his hand and the ball and set it at his hip and then back to his glove. Since I believe this is an illegal pitch resulting from an illegal motion is the result not a called ball to the present batter?

ANSWER: Gary,

Rule 8.05 should answer your question.  What you discuss is covered specifically in rule 8.05(l), however, that only applies to Juniors and above.  In Majors, our job is to start correcting the players for doing this, as it will become a problem later in their playing careers.  What you explained is a bad habit, and should be broken, however, it does not constitute an illegal pitch in Majors.

I hope this has answered your question.  Should you have anymore, please let me know!

-Martin Hoover

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I did look  at rule 8.05 before I sought out someone's opinion. It addresses illegal pitches but takes time to highlight in parenthesis that they are called balks in juniors and seniors. The fact that the rule takes time to give a name to this pitch at a different level instead of addressing it in general as a "balk" lead me to believe that these pitches do exist at major and minor levels but not with that label.

Answer
Gary,

Let's look at this as an illegal pitch and a balk as two separate things:

A balk is called because the pitcher has (intentionally or unintentionally) tried to deceive the runners.  Since there is no leading off in Majors, and they cannot advance until the ball reaches the batter, then no deception can be made, hence, no balks.

Illegal pitches are pitches that can deceive the batter, and that is why we give the batter a ball on the pitch.

You are right in a sense that it is just a name issue, but that it is different and does have an effect on the game.

-Martin Hoover