powrwrap

Except the comment on the rule says: From the windup position..... {list of three things the pitcher may do} ...the pitcher may not go into the set or stretch position--if he does it is a balk. This is my point--Estrada starts in the windup position, goes to the set position and then pitches. This is not legal. Apparently there is no penalty for it with no one on base. It is kind of a quirky loophole.

Nowhere does the rulebook say this is a manager optional rule. (Like a batter hitting a double after his bat strikes the catcher's mitt for catcher's interference--manager has option of taking the double or having his batter-runner put on first base.)

Umpire calls time and resets the pitch.

I don't think so because he doesn't come to the set position. It's just a temporary pause in the continuation of his motion and then he delivers the pitch. But I see your point. Juan Marichal's high leg kick was somewhat similar. He had a spot in his delivery where he kind of froze at the high point of his kick then continued with his motion. I suppose this is the rationale that the umps use to ignore Estrada's interruption/alteration of his "normal delivery". Just guessing though.

I'm just an observer. I've seen plenty of pitchers that have foreign substances on their caps and uniform. They constantly go to it and use it to get a better grip. Joe Nathan was a notorious user of pine tar and rosin. There are many others. Remember Kenny Rogers in the 2006 ALCS? Jon Lester in the 2013 World Series?

Does he stand facing the batter with his pivot foot in contact with, and his other foot in front of, the pitcher’s plate? Check. Does he hold the ball in both hands in front of his body and coming to a complete stop? Check. That's the definition of the set position.

Whatever you say...

The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, his pivot foot in con- tact with the pitcher’s plate and the other foot free. From this position any natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interruption or alteration. Once he's in the windup position, (and he is) he is committed to deliver the pitch with no interruption. Obviously going to the set position is an interruption in his pitch delivery.

Your observation seems to be the only way to interpret why the umpires are not calling it an illegal pitch, and would thus be called a ball. An illegal pitch is specifically defined as, with no one on base, a pitch with the pitcher's pivot foot not touching the rubber or a quick return pitch. But clearly, Estrada is not following the Windup and Set Position rules in 5.07.8.01[a] and . He is in the windup position and he does not deliver a pitch, instead there is an interruption and alteration in his delivery. So he's doing something illegal. If I were a batter I'd call time out when Estrada switches over from the windup position and the set position and have my manager come out and seek clarification of the rule.

I had an umpire friend of mine call me up during the Blues Jays/Royals game to tell me that Marco Estrada was committing an illegal pitch on every pitch he made whenever there were no men on base. I took a look and I think my friend is correct. Estrada starts out in the windup position then without taking his pivot foot off the rubber, he transitions into the set position. https://youtu.be/iy3iT3FOSwQ The rule, 5.07.8.01[a] and is quite clear: The Windup Position The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, his pivot foot in con- tact with the pitcher’s plate and the other foot free. From this position any natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interruption or alteration. He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot. The Set Position Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when he stands facing the batter with his pivot foot in contact with, and his other foot in front of, the pitcher’s plate, holding the ball in both hands in front of his body and coming to a complete stop. Preparatory to coming to a set position, the pitcher shall have one hand on his side; from this position he shall go to his set position. Looks to me that Estrada is making an illegal pitch. I suppose it's just another rule that the umpires don't bother to enforce, like pitchers putting pine tar on the ball.

^^ This right here. ^^ And newsflash--Arcia is not going to become a better outfielder. He lacks the instincts to get a good jump on balls, can't make the instant judgment needed, and he's got a prideful "look at me" attitude, which is ironic because he's not very good.

Because seeing a baseball from 60 feet away and it coming in the same general area around the plate is not the same thing as picking up a baseball hit from 275 feet away with spin and wind effects working on it and knowing where to go with your first step. Edited to add: And judging by Arcia's strike out rate and walk rate he's got a lot more to learn about the strike zone.

I liked the pinstripes. No numeral on the front is lame. Gold trim is kind of classy and cool. Next up in the quest to improve the Twins--new lawn mowing patterns in the outfield grass at Target Field.

I like this trade idea. I don't see Arcia improving his defensive game through practice. Outfield play involves a lot of instinct, reading the ball off the bat and getting a good jump on it. Arcia flat out doesn't have this. You can't practice judgment and instinct. The Twins' biggest need is starting pitching. I say this trade makes sense.