Nestor Cortes' Fake Pitch Windup - Is It an Illegal Delivery? And Why It's Definitely Not a Balk

Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes pantomimed a fake pitch motion during his windup in Cleveland. HP Umpire Mark Carlson no-called the bizarre delivery as Guardians batter Andrés Giménez hit a foul ball, but was this pitch illegal? Because it's definitely not a balk (bases empty). Article: www.closecalls...
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Official Baseball Rule 5.07(a)(1) governing Windup Position states, "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."
If anything, this classification falls under baseball's "don't do that" group of rules, meaning there is no gameplay penalty such as an illegal pitch (automatic ball with bases empty or balk with runner(s)). It is not a balk, as the bases were empty.

[@johndoe-yw7eb]

Why are we glossing over the "without interruption" part of the rule? A fake pitch in the middle of your delivery certainly seems like an interruption.

[@taxicamel]

AGREED. There will ALWAYS be someone who will try anything "sneaky" ....or ILLEGAL. This guy is CUBAN. All he is doing is giving CUBANS a bad reputation. It is up to the "officials" to know the rules and apply them without hesitation. The little "fake toss" is the most ridiculous aspect of this whole delivery. That alone draws attention to the delivery. The leg action ......FAR TOO STUPID ......but hey .....this is a baseball player. Intelligence is NOT a requirement. .

[@ericwisniewski2636]

@@taxicamel lmao I don’t think anyone sees this and equates it to Cubans being stupid, I more just went “wtf” and moved on with my day

[@gil4321]

We are glossing over the "or alteration" part of the rule because it has been meaningless since at least Tiant (and has probably never had any application until MLB cited it for this pitch.) Without interruption just means he can't come to a complete stop in the middle of his motion, which he didn't.

[@jimpagano2343]

I would say making the throwing/pitching motion without actually pitching the ball would violate the "interruption/alteration" aspect of the rule. And the fact he breaks his hands, fakes the pitch, then joins the hands again...I'd say that too is an "alteration" I'd nullify the pitch. If the batter doesn't swing, I'd be tempted to count the pitch, call it a ball, and claim "what he did confused me enough I lost my concentration." Cortes' goal with doing this is throw off the batter. He risks throwing off the umpire too. It's kind of the "f around and find out" type of thing.

[@MwD676]

As stated in the video, the infraction is a “don’t do that” situation. It is not an illegal pitch. It is an illegal delivery (windup).

[@taxicamel]

@@MwD676 .....IT'S AN ILLEGAL PITCH. No need to try to be "cute". .

[@MwD676]

@@taxicamel Nothing “cute” intended. Just the ugly truth from the rule book. An illegal pitch is one thrown from off the rubber, a quick pitch, or when the pitcher takes an additional step. The penalty for an illegal pitch is a ball. Violating the requirements for a legal windup can result in an umpire’s order to stop. These infractions are typically ignored, with no runners. With runners on, the infraction would result in a balk. In fact, the league office issued an order for Cortes to stop (a week later). But it is still not an illegal pitch.

[@hortons1967]

@@MwD676 There really isn't an illegal windup. 99% of the time a pitcher is in windup there are no baserunners to deceive. I see coaches whine about odd windups every year but i tell them its legal. Now if Nestors foot touched the ground at any point after starting that's an illegal pitch. He didn't he loosely kept it 1 slllloooow motion lol.

[@michaelfalkner1186]

That's one of those things where it would seem that it SHOULD BE an illegal pitch. Thank you for the rules analysis, but that just doesn't look "natural" to me.

[@MaydayAggro]

This is actually why I can see someone saying that this is legal. The rule says he cannot use any motion that is part of his "natural" delivery without throwing, so if this does not look natural and he doesn't throw, is it illegal?

[@rayray4192]

@@MaydayAggro a pitch must be delivered without alteration or interruption. I don’t care what is normal for a clown . I care what the rule is.

[@zachw566]

Killjoy

[@rayray4192]

@@zachw566 there is no joy in bush league baseball.

[@MwD676]

Sure it is an illegal windup. Would be a balk with runners. But it’s not an illegal pitch in OBR.

[@carypyke935]

I learn so much here !!

[@KeithHoranParkour]

This is clearly alteration though, no? Violations for both the windup and stretch seem to reference back to the same penalty as 6.02(a) A ball. "Rule 5.07(a)(2) Comment: With no runners on base, the pitcher is not required to come to a complete stop when using the Set Position. If, however, in the umpire’s judgment, a pitcher delivers the ball in a deliberate effort to catch the batter off guard, this delivery shall be deemed a quick pitch, for which the penalty is a ball. See Rule 6.02(a)(5) Comment." It seems clear that the intent of the rule is to protect hitters from alterations designed to catch them off guard. So while this didn't fall into to what was defined as an illegal pitch. It seems to have violated what would be defined as a legal pitch, which then seems loop back to same penalty as an illegal pitch. Which would be a ball, not a warning or ejection. Expecting umpires to police alterations and natural/unnatural deliveries would be unreasonable 99% of the time. However when the alteration is that drastic to the extent of faking a pitch, or adding 2, 3, or 4 leg kicks...I think its reasonable to expect umpires to make that call.

[@MwD676]

Illegal windup is not necessarily an illegal pitch. (It definitely is in HS.)

[@arinerm1331]

I believe the fake delivery just before the actual pitch should be called out, and ejection is warranted if he repeats the move later in the game. I know Yankees fans will vociferously disagree.

[@zachansen8293]

Yeah, I got no problem with the leg swinging. But the fake throw is BS.

[@Calibrex_Gaming]

Leg never settled and arm movements are allowed. What’s the issue?

[@Surgeon_General]

@@Calibrex_Gaming the purpose of the “arm movement” is clearly to deceive the batter with the objective of making them less aware to the upcoming pitch. When the consequence of being unaware is getting hit by a 90mph projectile, I’d say that classifies as “unsportsmanlike.” As the original commenter said, Yankees fans will disagree.

[@RoccoHorvath]

Oh come on! Lighten up!

[@ShortyG724]

@@Surgeon_Generalshould breaking pitches being illegal too then? With your thought process they should, they can push 90 mph and their purpose is to deceive the batter. You tell me 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@azcardguy7825]

Finally someone who understands what a balk is….

[@robcoop6521]

Exactly, she said it is definitely a balk.

[@Phil007QOS]

MLB has now said this is an illegal pitch

[@cronoesify]

It's fucking over for Nestor

[@greg33770]

he did it today ! Umps said nothing

[@MwD676]

No. They told Cortes not to do that. The old “don’t do that” penalty. It is still not an illegal pitch.

[@matrixphijr]

I'm fine with all the slow windup stuff - we were all fine with Cueto's shimmy shake for years. I have a problem with the fake pitch part of it, although maybe if you asked hitters, they would say, "Yeah, sure, do that more often so I can see your pitch grip."

[@Chronus-gw8en]

Thanks for the awesome explanation, i forgot about this pitch and thought balk. Better understanding now

[@tcrebelguy]

This pitcher is going to have a great career with the Savannah Bananas.

[@RoyaltonDrummer922]

Cortes is ridiculous. There is nothing “natural” about any of his pitches

[@ChrisBerti]

Did Lin address whether or not its a balk?

[@ChrisBerti]

@@MwD676 Hmm, maybe she should repeat it 4 more times at the end of the video :P

[@MwD676]

I only counted 3.

[@greg33770]

He did that today, the very first thing you showed, kept moving but faked a pitch, actually motioned like he was throwing to the batter but did not, and immediately then threw it....umps did nothing....and I was like what ????

[@philrivera1163]

So what’s the difference between this and what Luis Garcia’s of the Astros, shuffle that was outlawed last season?

[@mph7282]

Essentially nothing, except that this is more egregious. Garcia made that same delivery every single time, so it was entirely natural. They outlawed it because of the pitch clock, saying the umpires couldn't tell when his windup started. Which was wholly ridiculous.

[@arnyludger5334]

Time-clock twice Jhonny Cueto

[@vinleminh]

Can you explain the Robb Nen delivery, where he touches/taps the ground?

[@gforce97]

can you post E12, aroldis chapman's ejection in mets vs pirates yesterday??

[@MaydayAggro]

The OBR definitions of Windup and Set positions are completely useless. The windup position is when the pitcher is " *facing the batter, his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate* and *the other foot free... hold[ing] the ball with both hands in front of his body.* " Set position is " *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.* " The only difference between the definitions is that, in the windup, the non-pivot foot is "free," and in the set, the non-pivot foot is "in front." Both indicate the pitcher must be "facing the batter," which is an odd requirement when one foot is on front of the other. These are direct quotes from the OBR. According to this "set" definition, a pitcher could stand completely facing the batter, not even needing to move out of a stretch position, as long as he starts with hands separated and his non-pivot foot "in front."

[@taxicamel]

There will ALWAYS be someone who will try anything "sneaky" ....or ILLEGAL. This guy is CUBAN. All he is doing is giving CUBANS a bad reputation. It is up to the "officials" to know the rules and apply them without hesitation. The little "fake toss" is the most ridiculous aspect of this whole delivery. That alone draws attention to the delivery. The leg action ......FAR TOO STUPID ......but hey .....this is a baseball player. Intelligence is NOT a requirement. .

[@aduncaroo]

I love every second of this 😂

[@MaydayAggro]

He's not in the windup position, so 5.07(a)(1) does not apply, unless we are missing the beginning of the video. Every video I have found starts at the exact same time.

[@MwD676]

While it is not shown in the video, he is definitely in the windup. Also, set position has the same requirement: any natural motion associated with delivery commits him to pitch without interruption or alteration. (5.07a2)

[@MaydayAggro]

@@MwD676 The video starts with his foot on the ground, and there is no step back in the video. Do you have a clip that starts earlier?

[@MwD676]

@@MaydayAggro Yeah. Found a compilation of Cortes in the windup. This is actually just a standard windup. Starts facing the batter, and puts right root to the side.

[@MaydayAggro]

@@MwD676 well that makes things much clearer. Thanks.

[@greenmonster9913]

​@@MwD676 The penalty for which, with no runners on, is . . .

[@samueldrazkowski2908]

If there was a runner, then that's definitely a balk

[@hortons1967]

Technically its a wind up. This kind of thing happens in LL a lot.

[@JPfreedom]

He fakss a pitch BEFORE making the pitch! Thats DEFINITELY NOT natural movement! Also, he is making a mockery of the game, so a couple of things to enfroce here.

[@MwD676]

“Travesty of the game” is only used in reference to running the bases in reverse.

[@kevwwong]

I'm just amazed that he can do all of that, then throw to the plate with accuracy. I can't even stand on one foot for more than a few seconds, never mind launch a small sphere 60 feet.

[@Kenshuku]

... But is it a balk?

[@neixgd]

Idk, but I'm pretty sure it is

[@zachansen8293]

@@neixgd Yes, the right handed batter gets to advance to first base. Also, the third baseman scores.

[@teebob21]

No. There were no runners on base, so it can't be a balk.

[@johnthomas1422]

Looked like a balk. Give the runner the base.

[@neixgd]

@@teebob21 It's a joke I can read the title xD

[@davidmurray1897]

Someone should tell the person in video that this is against the rules since he faked to home while engaged with the pitching rubber which by rule is a balk and yes you can ball with no runners on base it’s simply a ball on the batter .

[@arnyludger5334]

Peekaboo vídeo again.

[@MwD676]

You absolutely cannot balk unless there are runners. Penalty for an illegal pitch is a ball ( with no runners). With runners on, an illegal pitch is a balk. But that doesn’t mean that every balkable action is an illegal pitch.

[@greenmonster9913]

​@@MwD676 Bingo!! - An illegal pitch becomes a balk when there are runners on, but a balk doesn't turn into an illegal pitch with no runners on. Illegal pitches are specifically defined, just as she said

[@Bambino_3]

I mean…. It’s creative

[@finalcountdown3210]

Never change, Nestor. Never change. I live for the crazy pitches. When he retires, he could be a mascot for the Banana Ball League

[@zrr1107]

As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I love it. I think he has a craftiness to him that is old school. Keep it up.

[@BluesImprov]

You know, as a hitter, once you see this move a couple of times it's really no big deal. You know he's gonna do it, and you let him, and you wait for him to actually make a pitch. Legal or not, it's just a "gimmick." And it's NOT gonna turn him into a Hall of Fame pitcher.

[@Yeo-]

Thing is, Nestor could always change his timing, which the batter can’t predict, thus the effect is still apparent even after facing him numerous times. Timing is extremely important for a batter, and throwing it off is a huge advantage. Imagine if prime Chapman would be doing these shenanigans, first you gotta time up a 103mph fastball, then you have to figure out when he’s actually going to throw it lol.

[@rayray4192]

Hall of shame

[@DonTrump-sv1si]

Sometimes me and my grandpa like to share a bag of Werthers Originals while we watch baseball

[@jks612]

But if there were runners, would this be a balk?

[@zachansen8293]

Yes.

[@Renegade605]

No, but a runner would steal home from first on it so it's not a good idea.

[@wranglerman270]

Yes unless it’s Clayton kershaw

[@donh6416]

​@Renegade605 With a runner on...this would be a balk due to the arm movement that replicates the pitching motion.

[@Renegade605]

@@donh6416 if you interpret it as faking a pitch, I guess you could say that. The runner would have already made it one base by that point and be on their way to a second though so...

[@offbrandsoup2579]

It’s definitely a hole in the rules. Hopefully they address it in the offseason

[@greenmonster9913]

Why? What problem would be solved by changing the rule?

[@offbrandsoup2579]

@@greenmonster9913 watch the video and find out 😂

[@greenmonster9913]

@@offbrandsoup2579what specifically was the problem you want to address?

[@offbrandsoup2579]

@@greenmonster9913 the fake pitch 😂 why are you playing coy?

[@greenmonster9913]

@@offbrandsoup2579 What about it is problematic?

[@Leafsdude_]

Missed opportunity to sign off with "this is not a balk" right at the very end. 0/10 would not watch again. PS. That move could potentially be detrimental to Cortes because he's showing the batter the grip before the pitch. Might be too quick to be of any use, but still...

[@tw1nn319]

@@MwD676 ball was def in his throwing hand during the fake throw

[@MwD676]

Man, I had a hard time finding this comment so I could delete it.

[@Renegade605]

Trying to stop him from doing this seems like looking for trouble where there wasn't any, so I wouldn't do that. BUT, to me this does look like "alteration", so shouldn't it be (technically) illegal?

[@MwD676]

Illegal delivery. Not an illegal pitch.

[@Renegade605]

@@MwD676 what are you talking about?

[@MwD676]

⁠@@Renegade605 Illegal pitch is one that is delivered while not in contact with the rubber. Or, a quick pitch. Or, if he takes an additional step with either foot. All the wiggles and flails do not constitute an illegal pitch. It is typically allowed with no runners, but would be a balk with runners on. If you wanted to enforce a legal windup, the only penalty would be an order from the umpire to comply. So, the remaining recourse would be ejection if he continues. So I totally agree with you that it’s “(technically) illegal.” But the umpire is not going “looking for trouble.”

[@greg33770]

@@MwD676 I have no problem with the wiggle of the hips, lifting the leg, and anything else he does with the legs, it's the faking of a pitch that doesn't seem right, in the very first part of the video, he did this yesterday, took the ball out of the mit, faked a full motion throw home, then brought the ball back and threw it....

[@MwD676]

@@greg33770 I understand your opinion. Just here stating what is found in the rule book. Apparently Cortes got a “Don’t do that!” from the league office a week after it happened. But it is still not an illegal pitch in the rule book.

[@bildo1977]

This is something that the pitch clock is supposed to root out. No more hot dog wind ups.

[@MwD676]

Actually the pitch clock requires him to ‘start’ his delivery. So the clock does nothing to prevent this.

[@ClarinoI]

So it's not a balk, but would it be if there were runners?

[@MwD676]

Yes.

[@itheuserfirst3186]

I loved it. It was weird, and fun. Too many of you take the game way too seriously. Baseball attracts so many easily triggered grouches.

[@TheBenmccormick]

Pittsburgh Pirates Pitcher Aroldis Chapman was ejected by HP Umpire Edwin Moscoso in the bottom of the 8th inning in last night’s Pittsburgh Pirates vs New York Mets game.

[@johnappling-zt4uh]

He did commit an illegal pitch when he showed the ball and then went back in the glove with the ball. It does clearly state that a pitcher can not simulate any pitching motions while on the mound to distract the batters

[@MwD676]

I think you refer to how you can’t simulate a pitching motion while NOT on the rubber. But that could only be a balk(with runners on)-not an illegal pitch.

[@greg33770]

He did the same thing today, and umps said and did nothing....

[@arnyludger5334]

The leg the duque Hernández

[@greenmonster9913]

That's not an illegal pitch. "Illegal pitch" is defined in the rulebook exactly as she said it is. I don't see any rule that's phrased the way you're describing it. The balk rule is designed to prevent the pitcher from deceiving the runner, not the batter. 6.02 (a)(1) would cover the motion that you're describing, if this was a balk situation, but it's not

[@derekflorence8471]

This delivery method is deceptive and scary.

[@HarrySJohnson]

I am stopping this every time

[@mptr1783]

Luis Tiant disagrees

[@robertbluestein7800]

With so much of the game's personalities being watered down, i welcome both he and Framber Valdez's creativity on the mound. Notice that the other team doesn't even get mad.

[@hammerhiem75]

Isn't it a Balk? ;)

[@ingiford175]

Something something no runners something something....

[@Calibrex_Gaming]

Awful troll attempt

[@Leafsdude_]

This is not a balk.

[@RayTX1337]

Nestor is just entertaining to watch, even if its silly.

[@grife3000]

Balk!

[@rastasheem33]

Why do you keep telling people you can balk without runners on. That’s just false.

[@owenschnitzler9340]

Here after it was declared an illegal pitch

[@rj7411]

LOL🤦‍♂️Amazing ❤

[@jimc.goodfellas]

I've said it already, but this is probably the dumbest thing I've ever seen during a live MLB baseball game

[@ricardorodriguez-se7tp]

They need to put a stop to that or else the rest of the players in the MLB are going to start doing it and start problems its Funny but its going to get out of hand.

[@QuarrelsomeLocalOaf]

Ya can't be up there not doin' a balk because there aren't any runners on like that.

[@arnyludger5334]

Jhonny Cueto like that

[@themisfitjoe]

I wonder if this is a balk? 🤪

[@fe1]

This MIGHT be a balk

[@andrewcain663]

Looks like a balk

[@owenzeiter4639]

So under NFHS rules I know this would be an illegal pitch. I believe it has to do with the pitcher not coming to a stop from the set position. He is in the set position since his pivot foot is parallel to the pitchers plate.

[@GiantsRangersYankees]

He was actually in standard windup position. The video just starts after he already started his motion (perhaps to avoid copyright claims).

[@owenzeiter4639]

Hmm, I haven’t see that. Was not watching the game at this point, the masters was on instead. According to NFHS the windup position is when the pivot foot is not parallel. Every video I’ve seen his foot is parallel to the pitchers plate from the start.

[@1969EType]

The FED rule on this is the windup must by rule be a “continuous motion”.

[@owenzeiter4639]

@@1969EType this is a continuous motion.

[@1969EType]

@@owenzeiter4639 Not in my judgement it’s not and if I see this in a FED game, I am grabbing an illegal pitch with no runners and hanging a ball on the count and I’m grabbing a balk with runners.

[@ben2972]

Love this breakdown. I guess…unsportsmanlike would have to be, like, “acting deceptive in a way that is not agreed upon as okay”. Because…any breaking pitch is deceptive. Heck, a changeup might be the most deceptive pitch out there! But unsportsmanlike…like, “hey, don’t do weird stuff that feels like it isn’t Mano e Mano” or something like that 😂❤

[@jtrjtr5393]

That's a bock 🐔

[@ericerickson7544]

MLB is becoming a joke with this clown... This is totally deception and an interruption of a pitch and should be handled as such...

[@mackavicious]

The takeaway: it's not illegal because the ump says it isn't illegal.

[@MwD676]

It’s illegal. But the cop is not pulling you over for going 4 mph over the limit.

[@waynenooffense3000]

This Is a balk! juuuust kidding!

[@nacoran]

I think it's good for the game. It's quirky and fun. It's not likely to change the grand competitive balance of the sport because doing this and still getting the ball over the plate is a skill in of itself. I like quirky windups. For 99% of pitchers doing this would just mess up their delivery. If someone is crafty enough to be able to do this, more power to them. I did have a problem with Carter Capps delivery, because it physically got the pitcher closer to the plate. Imagine if some giant like Randy Johnson had done that... Nestor, Johnny Cueto... that's just gamesmanship.

[@ronpeacock9939]

Nestor could keep the channel going by himself (oh wait, Angel wins that award)... but yeh.. no baserunners = NO BALK... and it don't fit under the illegals.. goofy.. Hell Yes.. illegal.. Nope..

[@zachansen8293]

It seems that everything that would be a balk if there were runners should be an illegal pitch. Why can't we just have the same rules instead of special cases?

[@babababad]

A balk is an illegal attempt to deceive a baserunner; an illegal pitch is an illegal attempt to deceive a batter.

[@teebob21]

​@@babababadGood summation, but slightly inaccurate. Illegal pitches are illegal pitches, but an illegal pitch that occurs when runners are on base is a balk.

[@zachansen8293]

@@babababad Pretty sure "deceive the baserunner" is not in the rulebook anywhere. Other than throwing to a base where a runner is, it just seems like the rules should be consistified.

[@ericjohannsen]

@@teebob21 That's like saying all dogs are animals but not all animals are dogs. It was decided that the things that constitute illegal pitches (illegally deceive the runner) also happen to illegally deceive the runner, which makes sense. A quick pitch also makes it harder for the runner to anticipate when the pitcher intends to deliver the ball, and a throw toward home while not on the rubber is a throw to an unoccupied base, same as throwing to any other unoccupied base.

[@teebob21]

@@ericjohannsen Well, that's because all dogs are animals and not all animals are dogs. All balks are illegal pitches but not all illegal pitches are balks. I'm glad you understood.

[@DoctorWho14615]

So this was a balk, got it.

[@tompren]

Regardless of any rule, it's bush league garbage

[@caras2004]

Hideo Nomo delivery

[@Biscuitchris7again]

Copy/Paste from my comment over at Antonelli Baseball: The bullshit circus antics are getting ridiculous and need to be stopped. If I were the umpire I would simply call no pitch and tell him not to do it again. Unless that was his standard delivery. And if he gave me shit for it: The Windup Position: _"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."_* mlb 2024 official rules and The Set Position: _"After assuming Set Position, any natural motion associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch _*_without alteration or interruption."_* mlb 2024 official rules Umpires need to do their f---- job.

[@itheuserfirst3186]

You're taking this way too seriously.

[@ShortyG724]

Quiet down boomer. It’s good for the game

[@1969EType]

When I am commissioner, this delivery is an ejection and a warning to the player that if he does it again he can join Pete Rose in the ban bin. Either we want this nonsense out of the professional game…or we don’t. Why is this so hard?

[@itheuserfirst3186]

Oh, stop. It was fun. Ban him for throwing a fake pitch? Calm yourself.

[@1969EType]

@@itheuserfirst3186 He can play for the Savannah Bananas or some other bush league program. He's not playing in my MLB.

[@ShortyG724]

Settle down there boomer. It’s good for the game

[@1969EType]

@@ShortyG724 GenX, yo!✊🏻 It’s terrible for the game!

[@MwD676]

I vote for “we don’t” want to remove it.

[@sneaksc9767]

That's balk in my book...you can't start a delivery then stop...then throw...

[@chrisschack9716]

It would be with runners, without runners there's nobody to be fooled into stealing so no balk possible.