Balk ???

[Thunderheads]

Another piece I wanted to post for discussion .... I just don't see the balk here, ...can someone help me out?

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15334247

On another note, ... is it me, or does Kirk Gibson not look right? Almost like there's something wrong with him?

[mstaylor]

I think he had him coming toward home before he went to third. Definitely borderline and that is hard to call from the camera angles.

[Mr Umpire]

It is a "Stepping" balk. He stepped toward the plate while going to 3B. And, it was borderline and most of us would probably not call. That is what the tapping of the knee is. I have only heard of it for when it is a "No step" balk or the foot lands identical to the same place it started from. But, it is shown here so it may be for any "Stepping" balk call.

[Thunderheads]

It is a "Stepping" balk. He stepped toward the plate while going to 3B. And, it was borderline and most of us would probably not call. That is what the tapping of the knee is. I have only heard of it for when it is a "No step" balk or the foot lands identical to the same place it started from. But, it is shown here so it may be for any "Stepping" balk call.

If it is, ....then they are WAAAAAAAAY more lenient on a lefty going to first, aren't they ?!?

ON EDIT: UNLESS, ....you're Mark Burhle and you've Joe West on 1U :angel4:

[Mr Umpire]

It is a "Stepping" balk. He stepped toward the plate while going to 3B. And, it was borderline and most of us would probably not call. That is what the tapping of the knee is. I have only heard of it for when it is a "No step" balk or the foot lands identical to the same place it started from. But, it is shown here so it may be for any "Stepping" balk call.

If it is, ....then they are WAAAAAAAAY more lenient on a lefty going to first, aren't they ?!?

ON EDIT: UNLESS, ....you're Mark Burhle and you've Joe West on 1U

I don't know. The more I watch it, the more it appears more obvious. Maybe, it was very obvious from behind the plate. Without his view, we don't know how obvious it looked but when I pause it at 0:45, it looks very blatant and obvious he went toward HP. Game of angles as always.

[mstaylor]

That's why I say the camera angles aren't good for us to judge.

[carolinablue]

I'm not much of a lip reader but it looks like he's telling him " It's a step balk Kirk." Wish I could read what Gibson said when he got tossed. Whatever it was, he knew he was going when he said it.