First plate of the year and question.

[clawdad]

Worked my first plate of the year last night, and first ever at the HS (Modified) level. I was nervous, and I think I missed a few strikes on the outside corner. Got into a good groove though, and no griping from either team - pretty relaxed game. Our Modified level plays a 3 run per inning rule with an unlimited last inning and 2 1/2 hour time limit - it took all 2 1/2 hours too. Took a good shot to the mask on a fouled back pitch, but no ill effects. Took a couple other hits, but Diamond Featherweight mask and Ump-Lite shins held up well. HT coach told his F2 that he better start blocking the ball better, or that I wouldn't like him after the game. Partner was...OK.

Afterward, I was talking to another Umpire I work with at my regular job. He told me about a situation he had, and I thought I would run it by all of you. Runner on first, F1 standing on the rubber with arms at sides (like he would most likely be delivering from the set position), and hasn't made any movement to come set or committing him to pitch. All of a sudden, using only a twist of his upper body, F1 throws to first for a pickoff attempt. No step, just twisting at the waist. Balk or not?

[JaxRolo]

"TIME" "That's a Balk!!!!

[scrounge]

Absolutely a balk....IIRC, that's also the main reason the 'gorilla arm' swing was outlawed in FED when in the set (arm hanging down before the stretch, arm swinging).

[cyclonehokiece]

No step = balk. Had this happen last fall on a pick to third. Pitcher just throws it.

[sdix00]

Coach: "BUT HE WASN"T SET YET!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you Kidding?!!!"

Parents: "Yeah, what the coach said! That is so NOT a balk!!""

[cyclonehokiece]

Coach: "BUT HE WASN"T SET YET!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you Kidding?!!!"

Parents: "Yeah, what the coach said! That is so NOT a balk!!""

In my game, that was the argument the coach used. Just told him he still needs to step, walked away back to the plate to resume game.

[clawdad]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Apparently this F1 also did the same move standing on the rubber like he was going from the windup as well. I am still trying to get comfortable with balk situations, and trying to learn them. I have a game with this certain team coming up, so I'll know what I'm looking at.

[sdix00]

clawdad -

get Jim Evans's Balk video from Umpire.org. I promise you it will change your life after you watch it 10 times.

I have a DVD player illegally placed in the front dash of my truck. I would let the DVD play over and over and over, picking up a little info here and there, then one day it all just clicked in to place.

This video goes on the the essential supplies list.

[24sdad]

Clawdad, from your first post you mentioned getting hit in the mask with a foul, then taking a few more shots and your mask held up well. I don't know if that meant you took more than one foul in the mask or not. If you did, I am wondering where you are setting up. Slot or behind F2? If I misread this and you are in the slot, never mind. If you are setting up behind F2, expect to take more foul balls in the face, collarbone, CP, etc. If it was just a case of a poor F2 not catching/blocking the ball, well there is nothing you can do except maybe ask his coach if you can borrow their back-up catcher's glove, since his F2 does not seem to be using his.

[clawdad]

I set up in the slot. Basically just a poor F2. That's why the coach made the joke. Between innings the coach told me that out of all the players on the team, only 3 had even played Little League before. The rest were first-time players. It was almost like working a LL game - kids asking the coaches where they should stand in the field, runners taking off immediately on a fly ball with no one out. At least they werent chasing butterflies or sitting down in the outfield. :)

[SanDiegoSteve]

Scariest words to hear: "Blue, this catcher hasn't ever caught before." Time for me to go work behind the mound!:)