Balk!

[Thunderheads]

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=29794529&query=umpire

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/play?content_id=29794529

[maven]

Good call. No step. Clueless announcers.

[mstaylor]

Correct, no distance.

[Mudder]

Good call. No step. Clueless announcers.

 

Are you saying there was no step at all, as it looks like there was a step, just not toward 1B, but he did gain distance.

[Umpire in Chief]

Also look at Carpaza's mechanics. He awards R3 (Posey) home first then R1 to 2nd.

 

Good lesson for younger umpires. Always award your lead runners first in situations with multiple runners being awarded. It will avoid confusion.

[maven]

 

Good call. No step. Clueless announcers.

 

Are you saying there was no step at all, as it looks like there was a step, just not toward 1B, but he did gain distance.

 

 

The ruling was that he did not gain distance, but only spun in place. By interpretation, that move does not satisfy the requirement to step and throw to 1B.

 

When you say "just not toward 1B, but he did gain distance," you should be aware that this is a contradiction. To "gain distance" is precisely to gain distance toward 1B.

 

Verlander does this move too, and has been balked a couple times this season for it.

[HeadHunterLA]

No brainer.

[grayhawk]

I disagree with this one.  Focus on the heel of his free foot - it does not stay in the same place (which is what would happen if he simply spun without gaining distance).  It moves towards first base at least a couple of inches.  Granted, it's tough to see from 60' away in real time, but a couple of inches is enough.

[noumpere]

I disagree with this one.  Focus on the heel of his free foot - it does not stay in the same place (which is what would happen if he simply spun without gaining distance).  It moves towards first base at least a couple of inches.  Granted, it's tough to see from 60' away in real time, but a couple of inches is enough.

I agree.  The pitcher starts just "open" a little bit then closes his stance as he comes set then moves the free foot back to about the original spot on the step.

 

His pivot foot gets caught so it looks a little funny but it is a step, imo of course.

[Jimurray]

That is not a balk.

 

Unless VC felt the front knee broke prior to the move being initiated.

He definitely called a step balk. Manager started out and PU tapped his leg to send him back.

[zm1283]

His free foot doesn't get out of his footprint when it lands.  I see direction but no distance.