MLB Ejections 077, 078: Hirschbeck (2), Reynolds (3)

[Lindsay]

1B Umpire John Hirschbeck ejected Rockies pitcher Wilton Lopez and 3B Umpire Jim Reynolds ejected Rockies Pitching Coach Jim Wright for arguing a balk call by 2B Umpire Bob Davidson in the top of the...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

View the full article

[VAUmp]

The first one was 100% correctly called.  No real clear video of he second.

[Jimurray]

The website says "start-stop" viloates 8.05(a):

"The pitcher, while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make such delivery;"

Coming set is not a motion naturally associated with his delivery. In fact, while coming set, the pitcher can step off or step and throw to a base. 8.05(a) only comes into play once he starts his motion to pitch.

Wendelstedt says a balk is: "The pitcher starts and stops his motion to deliver a pitch (8.05a), bring his hands together in either pitching position, or to disengage the pitcher's plate (8.01b).

This is from the 2010 WUM.

Bolding is mine.

Note Wendelstedt references 8.01(b). The problem is there is no balk penalty in 8.01(b). I used to think that I could reference, in the unlikely event that somebody questioned why it was a balk, 8.05(b) or ©, as starting and stopping is basically a feint without a step. Later, from believable sources, and from WUM I've learned that this particular 8.01(b) violation is a balk by custom and practice (and JE balk video) although the other violation mentionioned in this situation's paragraph is still a "do not do that'.

For additional rumination I add the following verbiage from 8.01(b): "After assuming the set position,any natural motion associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to pitch without alteration or interruption."

Again, bolding mine.