Balk Situation

[NY Blue]

Cal Ripken Tourney this summer...bases loaded, batter ready, pitcher starts windup and batter steps back out of the box with one foot. Pitcher stops mid-windup. Umps call balk and send the runners. I've always understood that this situation is specifically addressed in the rules (6.02). Despite objection by the DC, both umpires let let balk stand. To add insult to injury, it happened a second time in the same inning, obviously by design/coaching.

If I'm calling the game, it's a do over, a warning and an EJ if it happens again. Or have i missed something?

[Umpire in Chief]

The batter cannot do anything to cause a balk. So it becomes the umpire's judgement as if the batter stepping out caused the pitcher not to complete his delivery. IMO - never a balk.

[JaxRolo]

The batter cannot do anything to cause a balk. So it becomes the umpire's judgement as if the batter stepping out caused the pitcher not to complete his delivery. IMO - never a balk.

+1 I agree with Warren on this! :stir

[mstaylor]

I always say it is the only true do over in baseball. There was a local youth team that coached their kids to step toward the pitcher, throw their hand up and yell for time. I had seen it done a couple of times with young umpires. The first time they tried it with me I told the coach next time that happens he would leave. Never saw it again.

[stl_ump]

Cal Ripken Tourney this summer...bases loaded, batter ready, pitcher starts windup and batter steps back out of the box with one foot. Pitcher stops mid-windup. Umps call balk and send the runners. I've always understood that this situation is specifically addressed in the rules (6.02). Despite objection by the DC, both umpires let let balk stand. To add insult to injury, it happened a second time in the same inning, obviously by design/coaching.

If I'm calling the game, it's a do over, a warning and an EJ if it happens again. Or have i missed something?

Did DC protest for misapplication of the rule?