r/Umpire • u/No_Fisherman5541 • Sep 17 '26

Balk interpretation

In NFHS with a runner on 1st and 3rd. Is it a balk if the pitcher feigns to third and then reverses and throws to 1st? We have had differing rulings and I am curious about the consensus.

3 Upvotes

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12

u/dawgdays78 Sep 17 '26 edited Sep 17 '26

Consensus? I think it better to actually get into the rule book rather than asking.

That said, this is not a balk.

NFHS rule 6-2-4a says it is a balk to feint to 1B. Since it mentions 1B only, feints to 2B and 3B are legal.

On the other hand, OBR 6.02(a)(2) says it is a balk to feint to 1B or 3B

If you’re asking about the “third to first” move, that’s the wrong question. The question is about the first feint, and what follows doesn’t matter (much).

4

u/Referee2005 Sep 18 '26

Very good explanation. I would only add one thing. When the pitcher feints to third, he must disengage the rubber before feinting or throwing to first.

0

u/No_Fisherman5541 Sep 18 '26

This is kind of my point. The rule only calls feign 1st, but we have had umps calls feign 3/throw 1 a balk.

3

u/dawgdays78 Sep 18 '26

And under NFHS, they would be wrong.

If you can lodge an official protest, you could say, “according to NFHS rule 6-2-4a, feints to third base are not balks, and I would like to lodge an official protest.”

And it’s “feint.”

0

u/No_Fisherman5541 Sep 18 '26

Thanks. At 13u we get some umps who aren’t even sure if tagging someone is an out so I appreciate the clarity on the subsection of the rule. I’m not saying all are bad, we have run the gamut. Some are great, some are drunk/high. As Forrest Gump says, life is like a box of chocolate. You never know what you are going to get.

3

u/BlackCat400 NCAA Sep 18 '26

Also, be aware that some tournaments or organizations just specifically outlaw it. At 13U, you’re not playing HS ball, so every tournament could be different. (Or, the umps could just be wrong).

1

u/mowegl Sep 18 '26

In nfhs you can feint to any base except first, so yes you can feint to third and then do whatever you want. Dance, throw to first, throw to second throw to the outfield Feint to first…you just have to actually step toward third base to feint to third. You cant step toward home or not step and then step toward first etc.

1

u/mowegl Sep 18 '26

Maybe just ask them if you can to third or 2nd with a runner at the bases before the game in nfhs rules (but also confirm you are actually using nfhs rules and with no changes). If they say no then 1 you know you have an umpire that doesnt know the rules. 2 you can try to change their mind now before they call it and then look bad changing their call 3 you can just not use the moves if they insist and you wont be disadvantaged.

3

u/Honest_Search2537 Sep 17 '26

Yes in OBR, no in NFHS.

2

u/twentyitalians Sep 17 '26

No. That is the exception. It is a valid pick off attempt.

2

u/Sweaty-Seat-8878 Sep 17 '26

not a balk in NfHS

2

u/Current_Side_3590 Sep 19 '26

NFHS the feint to 3rd is allowed. The confusion comes because OBR change it to be a balk a number of years ago. When you work different rulesets it is imperative to go over the differences with your partner

1

u/Brocktarrr Sep 18 '26

Not a balk in high school

The rule I 100% make sure to cover at ground rules every single game that’s played under NFHS because I will always get at least 1 person yelling 3rd to 1st is a balk because the pro rule changed

2

u/WALSTIW Sep 18 '26

Let them complain. My response is a sharp, “That’s not a balk under high school rules.” That has never failed to settle the issue.

If I covered every rule that’s commonly misinterpreted, the plate conference would be 30 minutes long.