AboutAndrew Senger Expertise Anything related to baseball rules.
Experience I am a baseball umpire. I am certified for High School (NFHS), and work in Missouri (MSHSAA). I also umpire for local leagues that use both NFHS and OBR.
Organizations NFHS - National Federation of High Schools
MSHSAA - Missouri State High School Athletic Association
GSLAU - Greater St. Louis Association of Umpires
Education/Credentials I have attended numerous training lessons on umpiring. Many of these lessons including Rules Interpretations.
Question QUESTION: I would like to know if a pitcher can fast roll/toss a ball backwards towards the second base to catch a runner leading way off 2nd? Providing he does not violate any of the balking rules. I have never ever seen this. I have even asked many umps and coaches and perused the rules. Nothing seen.------Vince
ANSWER: Vince,
A pitcher would not be allowed to attempt a pick-off as you describe it. The main reason on why is that a pitcher must gain distance and direction toward a base they are attempting to pick off at.
In your example, the pitcher does not gain either distance or direction toward second base. Umpires should call a balk on this move.
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QUESTION: If the pitcher is not in contact with the rubber with either foot then at that point he is still just a fielder, correct? If so than he can do anything he wants, yes? Even if he was in contact with the rubber and takes his foot off at least 6",( is there a known measurement it has to be off? or is it just have to be clear to the umpire?)then he is back to being a fielder, yes? Any ways the problem is this. There are kids that lead waaay off 2nd because they know it's difficult to be picked off. If the pitcher is off the rubber and can toss the ball back wards because of where he is standing then that would constitute a legall throw, not a balk.
Answer Vince,
You are correct. As long as the pitcher is not touching the rubber, then he can do whatever he wants. If he wants to throw the ball backwards while not touching the rubber, then he can.
There is no rule on how far off the rubber a pitcher has to be. The rule simply states that they can not be touching the rubber. That said, if it's difficult for the umpire to tell, it's possible that it will be ruled that he was.
Also, you have to remember that a pitcher cannot simulate any of the pitching actions while not in contact with the rubber. This includes appearing to take signs from the catcher. Some umpires might even consider any stance resembling the beginning of a pitcher's actions to pitch (a set position or hand and glove in front of body) near the rubber as "simulating", so you need to watch for that as well.
