Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 4/21/2004

Question
From the set position how high can one lift his non pivot foot to point to a base before throwing the ball to that base? Give both examples or answers for a right handed pitcher and a left handed pitcher.

Answer
Bob,

This is a judgement call kind of question, but the rulebook answer is that as soon as the player makes a motion toward the base, they must throw to the base.  If they raise their foot up and then point toward a base, they must throw the ball, regardless of how high they lift their foot.

If they raise their foot straight up, they have some leeway, but as soon as they start moving toward a base, they are committed.

This is often not called by the book on the major league level.  A number of years ago, the leagues tried to get their umpires to call the balk by the book.  There were so many balks called the first month of the season that the leagues called off the experiment.

Hope this helps!

Brian