Rule sets / OBR / Hybrid No-Declare Windup Balk
Hybrid No-Declare Windup Balk
With a runner or runners on base, a pitcher will be presumed to be pitching from the Set Position if he stands with his pivot foot in contact with and parallel to the pitcher's plate.
With a runner or runners on base, a pitcher will be presumed to be pitching from the Set Position if he stands with his pivot foot in contact with and parallel to the pitcher's plate, and his other foot in front of the pitcher's plate, unless he notifies the umpire that he will be pitching from the Windup Position under such circumstances prior to the beginning of an at-bat.
A pitcher will be permitted to notify the umpire that he is pitching from the Windup Position within an at-bat only in the event of (i) a substitution by the offensive team; or (ii) immediately upon the advancement of one or more runners (i.e., after one or more base runners advance but before the delivery of the next pitch).
MLB Umpire Development Manual Authoritative interpretation
With a runner or runners on base, a pitcher will be presumed to be pitching from the Set Position if he stands with his pivot foot in contact with and parallel to the pitcher's plate, and his other foot in front of the pitcher's plate, unless he notifies the umpire that he will be pitching from the Windup Position ("Hybrid Position") under such circumstances prior to the beginning of each at-bat.
A pitcher will be permitted to notify the umpire that he is pitching from the Windup Position within an at-bat only in the event of: a substitution by the offensive team; or immediately upon the advancement of one or more runners (i.e., after one or more base runners advance but before the delivery of the next pitch).
Once a pitcher notifies the home plate umpire of his intention to pitch from the Windup ("Hybrid"), the umpire should call "Time," the ball is dead, and indicate to the other members of the crew and each club that the pitcher has elected to pitch from the Windup ("Hybrid").
Video examples
With a runner on third base the pitcher sets up with his foot parallel to the rubber and is assumed to be in the Set Position. He then steps backwards, which is only allowed in the Windup Position, resulting in a balk.
With the bases loaded the pitcher sets up with his foot parallel to the rubber and is assumed to be in the Set Position. He then steps backwards, which is only allowed in the Windup Position, resulting in a balk.
With runners on second and third the pitcher sets up with his foot parallel to the rubber and is assumed to be in the Set Position. He then steps backwards, which is only allowed in the Windup Position, resulting in a balk.
With the bases loaded the pitcher sets up with his footparallel to the rubber and is assumed to be in the Set Position. He then steps backwards, which is only allowed in the Windup Position, resulting in a balk.
Lindsey breaks down this hybrid no-declare balk by Athletics pitcher Luis Morales.