Verbal INT on coach?

[alex7]

I understand that verbal interference is usually referenced for baserunners, such as when a BR yells "I got it!" on a pop up and causes the defense to stop on a play.

What I'm seeing a lot of lately, from 12U up to D2 (what we call JV summer ball) is 3rd base coaches yelling at the pitcher when there's a runner at 3rd.

As the pitcher starts his windup, we get the "GO, GO, GO!" or "NOW, NOW, NOW!" from the 3rd basecoach, even though there is no squeeze play. The only reason they're doing this is in the hopes of causing a balk.

I leave this alone during the game, and haven't had a pitcher balk yet.

IF the situation happens though, and the pitcher does balk because of the coach's yelling, when there is no play, would you guys balk the pitcher, treat is as verbal int, or reset everything as you do when a batter steps out of the box with one foot assuming time, and the pitcher stops his motion?

[mstaylor]

Leave it alone.

[alex7]

Leave it alone.

I stated I do, I'm wondering IF the pitcher balks during one of these, just go ahead and enforce the balk then?

[BrianC14]

I stated I do, I'm wondering IF the pitcher balks during one of these, just go ahead and enforce the balk then?

Rule 4.06(a), as cited by ExCop on the ABUA site. :wow:

[alex7]

Thanks guys! Thought I'd read the rule book two times through (first-year ump), but didn't remember that rule.

[alex7]

Rule 4.06(a) No manager, player, substitute, coach, trainer or batboy shall at any time, whether from the bench, the coach’s box or on the playing field, or elsewhere—

(3) Call “Time,” or employ any other word or phrase or commit any act while the ball is alive and in play for the obvious purpose of trying to make the pitcher commit a balk.

PENALTY: The offender shall be removed from the game and shall leave the playing field, and, if a balk is made, it shall be nullified.

[BrianC14]

Rule 4.06(a) No manager, player, substitute, coach, trainer or batboy shall at any time, whether from the bench, the coach’s box or on the playing field, or elsewhere—

(3) Call “Time,” or employ any other word or phrase or commit any act while the ball is alive and in play for the obvious purpose of trying to make the pitcher commit a balk.

PENALTY: The offender shall be removed from the game and shall leave the playing field, and, if a balk is made, it shall be nullified.

And there you go.

Now - you, as the umpire, have to determine if what's being said has an "obvious purpose".

If you allow bench jockeying from the get-go, then this sort of stuff can quickly get out of control; it's best to nip it early.

[alex7]

in NFHS it's rule 3.3.1 - o

[Don]

Words like "time", "balk", "hey pitcher", etc can incite a balk and are legitimate words not to allow.

Words like GOGOGO are coaching words and he is allowed to coach. If he said it, runner took steps toward home and pitcher balked then he balked.

By the way the penalty for BC inciting a balk by word is ejection so be sure to eject if you are not going to allow the balk.