MLB talk about Balks

[hogsfan787]

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=29652201

These commentators really pi$$ me off sometimes. I think in the actual balk, it was called before he stepped off the rubber. So probably making some motion towards home.

[scrounge]

I gotta admit, I don't see it

[johnnyg08]

Except you don't have to step off either. He could've simply turned, stepped to and thrown to third base since it was for the purpose of making a play.

I didn't see the balk either.

[grayhawk]

Except you don't have to step off either. He could've simply turned, stepped to and thrown to third base since it was for the purpose of making a play.

I didn't see the balk either.

 

+1

[Mudder]

I don't get it either, but maybe its because he didn't step straight back with his pivot foot, he stepped back and slightly forward.  Looks like HP ump is saying "you went that way" and motioning with his hands when explaining to F1 what he did.

[afaber12]

First time I saw this, looking at the "live" CF view, I thought I saw some sort of weird movement from the front leg before he started to step off. But when they showed the other replays I couldn't see what I thought I'd seen originally. I think maybe I saw it because I was expecting to see a balk.

 

Yes, he could have just stepped to 3B and thrown without stepping off first, but I think in that situation he's better off doing it this way (minus the balk call): with his back to 3B he won't know where F5 is, and R2 is disappearing behind his back, if he wasn't already out of sight. If R2 starts and stops again, or if F5 is too far off the bag, he won't want to throw. If you step off, you don't have to throw, giving you the option of headed straight to the runner and either getting the out when he commits to either base or getting in to a run-down.

[Richvee]

I don't get it either, but maybe its because he didn't step straight back with his pivot foot, he stepped back and slightly forward.  Looks like HP ump is saying "you went that way" and motioning with his hands when explaining to F1 what he did.

It does look like that is what he is telling F1. Does he have to step off "directly back?".  I know FED says he must step within or partially within the 24" length of the plate. OBR makes no mention other than to say "step backwards off the plate". Is there an interpretation somewhere that says he must step directly back? 

[Jimurray]

How about calling it a "jab step" move to 3B. Who cares where the pivot foot lands when a righty does it to 1B?

[Jimurray]

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=29652201

These commentators really pi$$ me off sometimes. I think in the actual balk, it was called before he stepped off the rubber. So probably making some motion towards home.

Probably not. I don't listen to the effen commentators but what balk did you see.

[hogsfan787]

I didn't see much of anything, maybe he moved his shoulders before he stepped off. I just don't like the way these people talk about the umpires

[tldavis19]

I'm with everyone else, I'm just not seeing what was called a balk. The PU must have been picking a SERIOUS bogie to get that one. 

[carolinablue]

I may not agree with your balk call but I will fight to death for your right to call it.