Delayed steal Balk

[kwiggie]

At my boys game tonight here is the sit, (using obr terms)

r1 and r3, f1 in the stretch comes set and r1 takes off on a delayed steal. f1 steps off the rubber and starts to run at r1. oc starts yelling "balk, balk, thats a balk", no call is made and end result is r1 is called out going into second.

oc approaches the uic and states that f1 turned his back shoulder while looking to see what everyone was yelling about when he heard "He's going!" before stepping off the rubber. I didn't see this but I was not really paying attention though.

Now, two situational questions

1. If infact f1 while in the set position did turn his back shoulder while looking over it towards 1st base to see what all the hoop-la was about before stepping off, this would be killed and a balk would be issued, yes?

2. If f1 did work his mechanics right, steps off the mound and the oc starts yelling "balk, balk, balk" and contunues during the course of insuing aciton, could this be called interferance from the bench? I don't think so but...

I know for a fact that this is a designed play (my boys team) to try and create a balk (most desirable) or at least a rundown between 1st2nd (second most desirable). The part I am not sure on is... Is there a interference for the fact that not only do the coaches start yelling balk but the whole bench does (by design)... after, and always after f1 has stepped off the rubber, trying to influence the umps to kill the play.

P.S. yes, bring on the "chicken coop" jokes

[Paperipper17]

Now, two situational questions

1. If infact f1 while in the set position did turn his back shoulder while looking over it towards 1st base to see what all the hoop-la was about before stepping off, this would be killed and a balk would be issued, yes?

2. If f1 did work his mechanics right, steps off the mound and the oc starts yelling "balk, balk, balk" and contunues during the course of insuing aciton, could this be called interferance from the bench? I don't think so but...

1. In FED, yes. A balk is automatic dead ball. In OBR, I'm pretty sure no. I know that if a balk is called and F1 pitches, the play is allowed to continue. I would ASSUME (although we all know what that does) that the same holds true if he tries to make a play on the runner.

2. I have to think that's on your judgment. Rule 2-21-1: Offensive interference is an act (physical or verbal) by the team at bat: a. which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders, or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play...

It doesn't say attempts to interfere, etc., so I would assume (see previous parenthetical statement) that unless him screaming "balk!" actually caused the pitcher to give up on the play and allow the runners to advance, you have nothing.

Just my :rollinglaugh:

[yawetag]

1. In FED, yes. A balk is automatic dead ball. In OBR, I'm pretty sure no. I know that if a balk is called and F1 pitches, the play is allowed to continue. I would ASSUME (although we all know what that does) that the same holds true if he tries to make a play on the runner.

In OBR:

If a pitcher balks when he's not pitching (turning his shoulders, or starting and stopping), it's immediately killed and awards are made.

If he balks when making a pick-off, the play is killed UNLESS the throw is wild -- runners are protected to one base and can advance more at their own peril. If the pick-off is caught by the fielder, it's immediately killed and awards are made.

If he balks while pitching (not stopping), the play is allowed to continue and then killed if proper advancements aren't made.

[BrianC14]

At my boys game tonight here is the sit, (using obr terms)

r1 and r3, f1 in the stretch comes set and r1 takes off on a delayed steal. f1 steps off the rubber and starts to run at r1. oc starts yelling "balk, balk, thats a balk", no call is made and end result is r1 is called out going into second.

oc approaches the uic and states that f1 turned his back shoulder while looking to see what everyone was yelling about when he heard "He's going!" before stepping off the rubber. I didn't see this but I was not really paying attention though.

Now, two situational questions

1. If infact f1 while in the set position did turn his back shoulder while looking over it towards 1st base to see what all the hoop-la was about before stepping off, this would be killed and a balk would be issued, yes?

2. If f1 did work his mechanics right, steps off the mound and the oc starts yelling "balk, balk, balk" and contunues during the course of insuing aciton, could this be called interferance from the bench? I don't think so but...

I know for a fact that this is a designed play (my boys team) to try and create a balk (most desirable) or at least a rundown between 1st2nd (second most desirable). The part I am not sure on is... Is there a interference for the fact that not only do the coaches start yelling balk but the whole bench does (by design)... after, and always after f1 has stepped off the rubber, trying to influence the umps to kill the play.

P.S. yes, bring on the "chicken coop" jokes

I don't know about others here, but when coaches and other bench personnel start using words like "safe", "out", "BALK", they're entering into an area where they have no business. I'm shutting that down, PDQ. If it happens again, the head coach is going to be put into the seatbelt.