Balk Mechanics

[umpire_scott]

I've been told that balks for not pausing are the BU's call, the PU's call, and whoever sees it's call. Is there are a definite responsibility on this? What about other types of balks?

[Jocko]

In OBR :

PBUC TWO MAN

10.10 Procedures for calling balks

1. Either umpire may call a balk, although the plate umpire usually has a better look at a step balk in the two-umpire system.

[umpire_scott]

I worked with a guy yesterday and in 5 games we had 4 balk calls. All by me, 3 from the plate and 1 from the bases. After the first one my partner nodded his head and thanked me between innings for verbalizing. He said he saw it too, but was slow in getting it out. I felt with the others he was possibly getting the impression I was being an OOO. I've always had problems with this because some umpires almost NEVER call balks. It's a tough judgment, especially on the puase/no pause. I work with many umpires that just don't call them. I used to be very reluctant as well, but the more I work the more I'm making a point of calling them with confidence so that it becomes more comfortable. FWIW I only got one mild complaint on one of my balk calls, and it was on the most obvious of the balks.

[UmpJM]

Balks are a "shared responsibility" call, though some are more obvious or easier to see from one position or the other. If you see it, call it.

Some umpires don't call balks because they have no confidence in their understanding of the balk rules, and it does take a little time and experience to develop the understanding and confidence.

In my experience, a lot more "trouble" comes from NOT calling balks than from calling them when they happen.

JM

[UMP45]

Along the same line don't go "hunting" for balks either. Most balks will call themselves. There is an umpire in my area that "hunts" for balks. Depending on how many games he worked that week is the MINIMUM number of balks he called!

[umpire_scott]

Along the same line don't go "hunting" for balks either. Most balks will call themselves. There is an umpire in my area that "hunts" for balks. Depending on how many games he worked that week is the MINIMUM number of balks he called!

I agree with this statement, but it also depends on the umpires perception. It's very possible that the umpire I worked with (it was the first time I've ever worked with him), thinks of me as one of those umpires that "hunts" for balks. I know that when I was lacking in my confidence in calling them, I used to think that when I worked with a guy that called them. But now I look back and realize I've overlooked far too many balks and I need to start calling them. I've found the more of them that I call when I see, the better I'm getting at distinguishing, and the more comfortable I get when calling them.

[noumpere]

I've been told that balks for not pausing are the BU's call, the PU's call, and whoever sees it's call. Is there are a definite responsibility on this? What about other types of balks?

All balks are both responsibilities. But the plate umpire can get some better because the base umpire needs to move to see the pickoff so cant see if the pitcher steps to the plate or spins on the pivot foot or makes a second motion, or ....

Stuff that happens before the move like no stop or dropping the ball or starting and stopping can be got by the base umpire.

[renegadewolf]

Whoever sees the balk should call it. Both umps see it, both aught to be calling it. I had a partner call a balk earlier this year that I had very clearly missed, In a semi-throwing him under the bus manouver I greviously appolopgized to my partner afterwards for (fortunately i know him well and I think we are both pretty professional and very friendly towards each other), I said to him "I had him disengaging the rubber properly" to which he replied "I had motion to home before he stepped to first" at which point i thanked hi.m and went to my position. I missed the forward motion because I was too focused on the feet as I knew this pitcher had a very fast disengage and turn and sometimes if you weren't paying attention you weren't sure if he disengaged first.

[th3]

ive really made it a point this year to be more aggressive with balks - not to hunt for them, but to call them like they should be called...in the past, i miseed the no-stop balk far more often than i called it. i think that came from a combination of a bit of a lack of confidence, but also just not staying focused on every single pitch. i feel like i've taken some big strides tis year, but its still an area that i have to improve on..i agree that not calling the balk at the older levels gets you in a lot more trouble than calling too many

[Umpire in Chief]

Balks are something which need to be called more regularly. Because by not calling it, umpires hurt those who do call it.

We don't need to go looking for the dirty end of the stick, but call 'em as they happen.

Back to the OP... Yes they are a shared responsibility, either may call.

I worked for one association that said PU had them above the waist, BU had them below the waist. I never understood that, but apparently it is more common than I had thought.

You see it you call it, your partner sees it you echo it.

[MPLSMatt]

Like almost every ump starting out, I used to look for reasons not to call a balk (especially stops). The problem is, once a manager says "hey blue, he's not stopping" or whatever, you are perceived of letting him make the call for you the next time you call a balk. If you call it early (or just the first time he does it), you get far less complaints, especially when you come up with "Time. That's a balk. No stop!" or whatever the balk was.

[Texarkana]

Has anyone ever made a cheat sheet for new guys to study that gives the most common balks and what to look for? I have never seen one. I think it would be a good tool for people to go over when their chapter or organization has a clinic for the newer guys.

[semper_fi_72]

Has anyone ever made a cheat sheet for new guys to study that gives the most common balks and what to look for? I have never seen one. I think it would be a good tool for people to go over when their chapter or organization has a clinic for the newer guys.

Buy the Jim Evans Balk video.

Best cheat sheet you will ever have.

[spiritump]

Like almost every ump starting out, I used to look for reasons not to call a balk (especially stops). The problem is, once a manager says "hey blue, he's not stopping" or whatever, you are perceived of letting him make the call for you the next time you call a balk. If you call it early (or just the first time he does it), you get far less complaints, especially when you come up with "Time. That's a balk. No stop!" or whatever the balk was.

It is only time under FED in Pro and NCAA you let the play end then call time

[noumpere]

I have to add to this that most people go throough three stages -- they dont call any balks, they finally figure out what a balk is and they call too many (essentially treating the 12 -14 yr old pitchers as if they are MLB players and balking every little twitch), they finally settle down and get it at least close to right.

[JaxRolo]

Has anyone ever made a cheat sheet for new guys to study that gives the most common balks and what to look for? I have never seen one. I think it would be a good tool for people to go over when their chapter or organization has a clinic for the newer guys.

Buy the Jim Evans Balk video.

Best cheat sheet you will ever have.

Agreed! But please watch it more than once!

I converted mine to my iPhone and watch it all the time.

[semper_fi_72]

I have to add to this that most people go throough three stages -- they dont call any balks, they finally figure out what a balk is and they call too many (essentially treating the 12 -14 yr old pitchers as if they are MLB players and balking every little twitch), they finally settle down and get it at least close to right.

Once you figure it out and know what they are, you start call them without thinking twice about it.

[LMSANS]

Has anyone ever made a cheat sheet for new guys to study that gives the most common balks and what to look for? I have never seen one. I think it would be a good tool for people to go over when their chapter or organization has a clinic for the newer guys.

Buy the Jim Evans Balk video.

Best cheat sheet you will ever have.

+1

[Umpire in Chief]

I have to add to this that most people go throough three stages -- they dont call any balks, they finally figure out what a balk is and they call too many (essentially treating the 12 -14 yr old pitchers as if they are MLB players and balking every little twitch), they finally settle down and get it at least close to right.

Once you figure it out and know what they are, you start call them without thinking twice about it.

I couldn't agree more.

[MPLSMatt]

Like almost every ump starting out, I used to look for reasons not to call a balk (especially stops). The problem is, once a manager says "hey blue, he's not stopping" or whatever, you are perceived of letting him make the call for you the next time you call a balk. If you call it early (or just the first time he does it), you get far less complaints, especially when you come up with "Time. That's a balk. No stop!" or whatever the balk was.

It is only time under FED in Pro and NCAA you let the play end then call time

Yep. Right now all 4 groups I work play FED ball, so I have banged "time, that's a balk" into my head. On the rare occasion where I do OBR, I constantly remind myself of this difference.

[spiritump]

Like almost every ump starting out, I used to look for reasons not to call a balk (especially stops). The problem is, once a manager says "hey blue, he's not stopping" or whatever, you are perceived of letting him make the call for you the next time you call a balk. If you call it early (or just the first time he does it), you get far less complaints, especially when you come up with "Time. That's a balk. No stop!" or whatever the balk was.

It is only time under FED in Pro and NCAA you let the play end then call time

Yep. Right now all 4 groups I work play FED ball, so I have banged "time, that's a balk" into my head. On the rare occasion where I do OBR, I constantly remind myself of this difference.

I would suggest to get in the habit of calling balk let the play happen then call time--the resaon for this is once you call time you can not take it back --if you are working a game not under FED (even the rare occasion) and you call time you are putting the offence at a disadvantage ex-picted ball is hit for a home run--but you killed the play before the hit you just opened a SH*# house of trouble and as the umpre you caused it.

[PonyUmpire]

Yeah, I would think it's better to practice the OBR mechanic, because in Fed, I would assume you can retroactively call time and nullify the play. If you call time in OBR, however, there's nothing you can do to fix it.

[UmpJM]

I work games under FED, NCAA and (modified) OBR rules.

I always call the balk first ("That's a balk!") and then "Time!" afterwards - immediately afterwards in FED.

JM

[RichMSN]

Like almost every ump starting out, I used to look for reasons not to call a balk (especially stops). The problem is, once a manager says "hey blue, he's not stopping" or whatever, you are perceived of letting him make the call for you the next time you call a balk. If you call it early (or just the first time he does it), you get far less complaints, especially when you come up with "Time. That's a balk. No stop!" or whatever the balk was.

It is only time under FED in Pro and NCAA you let the play end then call time

Yep. Right now all 4 groups I work play FED ball, so I have banged "time, that's a balk" into my head. On the rare occasion where I do OBR, I constantly remind myself of this difference.

For me, it's *always* "That's a balk. TIME!" I don't change the order up for NFHS play. The ball's still dead once it's called.

[Thunderheads]

99.999% of the time, while playing under FED, ... "that's a balk" instantly haults action anyhow. Not that you shouldnt' call 'time' , ...just sayin' :)