Balk or Not?

[Mudder]

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=29927713&query=pick%2Boff

[Jimurray]

IITBTSB

[UmpJM]

Mudder,

 

Yes, he balked. He took two steps with his free foot in making the move to 2B.

 

Hence, his step to 2B failed the "direct step" requirement.

 

Apparently, the umpires didn't see it. (It was pretty subtle.)

 

JM

[Mudder]

IITBTSB

 

translation?

[maven]

 

IITBTSB

 

translation?

 

 

It's impossible to balk to 2B.

[Mudder]

IITBTSB

 

translation?

 

It's impossible to balk to 2B.

Is this one of those "umpire code" things that you never call although its technically against the rules?

[noumpere]

 

 

 

IITBTSB

 

translation?

 

 

It's impossible to balk to 2B.

 

Is this one of those "umpire code" things that you never call although its technically against the rules?

 

No. The balk is for "starting a motion to pitch" and not for "moving toward second base" or something like that.

 

Balks get missed and I have seen this one called before.

[mstaylor]

Abosolutely a balk, very obvious, they just braincramped. 

[Jocko]

IITBTSB

and the tie goes to the runner

[BigUmp56]

Tee would have a fit.

 

It's supposed to be:

 

IIITBTSB

 

 

Tim

[Dragon29]

Balks get missed . . .

 

Try any game Clayton Kershaw pitches in. He gets away w/the lefty indirect step balk pretty much every game he pitches. He's not the only lefty that still gets away with it, but I see the Dodgers a lot, ao I see him a lot.