Balk ?

[crazyaboutcoues]

Federation - R1 at third R3 at first, R3 takes several hard steps in what turns out to be a bluff to steal second. In the set position, F1, without simulating a pitch, wheels and steps towards and feints a throw to second while R3 is taking his steps to second. Correct call:

a - Legal move

b - balk both runners ar awarded one base

c - balk, F1 did not legally step back before he made the feint

d - legal, if R3 acually made an attempt to steal second

We argued this in our group last night for quite sometime...

[LMSANS]

Federation - R1 at third R3 at first, R3 takes several hard steps in what turns out to be a bluff to steal second. In the set position, F1, without simulating a pitch, wheels and steps towards and feints a throw to second while R3 is taking his steps to second. Correct call:

a - Legal move

b - balk both runners ar awarded one base

c - balk, F1 did not legally step back before he made the feint

d - legal, if R3 acually made an attempt to steal second

We argued this in our group last night for quite sometime...

This was on my test for this year. My answer is A. You can't balk to 2B;He can feint to an unoccupied base as long as he steps to thst base and is attempting to put out or drive back the runner (except 1B). 6-4b

[Rich Ives]

Federation - R1 at third R3 at first, R3 takes several hard steps in what turns out to be a bluff to steal second. In the set position, F1, without simulating a pitch, wheels and steps towards and feints a throw to second while R3 is taking his steps to second. Correct call:

a - Legal move

b - balk both runners ar awarded one base

c - balk, F1 did not legally step back before he made the feint

d - legal, if R3 acually made an attempt to steal second

We argued this in our group last night for quite sometime...

Part of the argument is lack of awareness of differences in rules.

The answer is "A" in FED and "D" in OBR.

[crazyaboutcoues]

That's what I had, in the case book 6.2.4 situation A it has something simular to this, it states that it is a balk if there is no "attempt" or "feinted" by R3 to steal second...

[grayhawk]

That's what I had, in the case book 6.2.4 situation A it has something simular to this, it states that it is a balk if there is no "attempt" or "feinted" by R3 to steal second...

Thanks for the casebook reference - it's right on the money for the situation posted. The rule citation is 6.2.4.b on page 41.

[mstaylor]

As I mentioned in another post, the new style test is designed to make you get in the book and realize the differences with Fed and other codes. As stated it is A in Fed, D in OBR. The difference they are trying to get you to see is Fed adds the phrase,"or drive back the runner." It is an important destinction.

[yawetag]

According to the BRD (item #398), it says for Fed to treat the same as OBR.

[Rich Ives]

According to the BRD (item #398), it says for Fed to treat the same as OBR.

That item (396 in the 2009 BRD) is about a pitcher spinning toward first to make a throw to 2B. Some argued at one time that because the pitcher spun toward first he had to throw to first. It isn't about throwing or not throwing when R1 feints to 2B. That is clearly covered in the rules or the supporting interps (case books, MLBUM. PBUC).

[Umpete]

Federation - R1 at third R3 at first, R3 takes several hard steps in what turns out to be a bluff to steal second. In the set position, F1, without simulating a pitch, wheels and steps towards and feints a throw to second while R3 is taking his steps to second. Correct call:

a - Legal move

b - balk both runners ar awarded one base

c - balk, F1 did not legally step back before he made the feint

d - legal, if R3 acually made an attempt to steal second

We argued this in our group last night for quite sometime...

Part of the argument is lack of awareness of differences in rules.

The answer is "A" in FED and "D" in OBR.

So in OBR, how would you rule on this play, as described? Balk or no balk?

[Rich Ives]

Federation - R1 at third R3 at first, R3 takes several hard steps in what turns out to be a bluff to steal second. In the set position, F1, without simulating a pitch, wheels and steps towards and feints a throw to second while R3 is taking his steps to second. Correct call:

a - Legal move

b - balk both runners ar awarded one base

c - balk, F1 did not legally step back before he made the feint

d - legal, if R3 acually made an attempt to steal second

We argued this in our group last night for quite sometime...

Part of the argument is lack of awareness of differences in rules.

The answer is "A" in FED and "D" in OBR.

So in OBR, how would you rule on this play, as described? Balk or no balk?

It can be deduced from the information provided.

It's legal IF the runner is actually attempting to advance. So if he isn't - then what?

[rodatc]

Federation - R1 at third R3 at first, R3 takes several hard steps in what turns out to be a bluff to steal second. In the set position, F1, without simulating a pitch, wheels and steps towards and feints a throw to second while R3 is taking his steps to second. Correct call:

a - Legal move

b - balk both runners ar awarded one base

c - balk, F1 did not legally step back before he made the feint

d - legal, if R3 acually made an attempt to steal second

We argued this in our group last night for quite sometime...

Part of the argument is lack of awareness of differences in rules.

The answer is "A" in FED and "D" in OBR.

So in OBR, how would you rule on this play, as described? Balk or no balk?

It can be deduced from the information provided.

It's legal IF the runner is actually attempting to advance. So if he isn't - then what?

PBUC Manual:

Play 2: Runners on first and second, pitcher in set position. Runner bluffs going to third base and pitcher throws to third base. However, runner did not go.

Ruling 2: Balk under Official Baseball Rule 8.05(d).

The key to understanding the above two plays is for the umpire to use good judgment in deciding whether or not the runner was making an actual attempt to advance to third base or whether he was bluffing.