Pick off ... balk/borderline

[Thunderheads]

Discuss ...

this looks awefully close to a balk .....  i.e.; Mark Buhrle's move that was balked numerous times a few years ago....

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=30490451&topic_id=9782246

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/play?content_id=30490451&topic_id=9782246

[th3]

Do you think he didn't step towards 1st or do you think his foot broke the plane of the rubber?

[Thunderheads]

Do you think he didn't step towards 1st or do you think his foot broke the plane of the rubber?

he didn't cross, imo ........ but it doesn't look like a step to first to me, from that angle of course .......

 

it's just a discussion as left handed F2 moves to first get lots of complaints usually (not at MLB levels, but )

[mstaylor]

He got away with it because the runner had already broken for second. 

[scrounge]

It's not the best angle - but not the worst either - but I don't think he stepped to first...he falls off towards home even, which I know isn't definitive or anything but it seems more to home than first to me.

[mstaylor]

It's not the best angle - but not the worst either - but I don't think he stepped to first...he falls off towards home even, which I know isn't definitive or anything but it seems more to home than first to me.

I agree but I think when the runner broke the pitcher was given less attention. 

[JaxRolo]

I agree that this was not even that close. Balk all the way. He stepped to home!

[Texas Manny]

IMHO, that's a balk! The key here is a 45* angle between the lines extended from the pitchers plate and the front of home plate. If the free foot goes beyond the 45* line, then it is a commitment going home. In the two man system, the school's teach that that is the plate umpire's call. Now obviously, when you have a three or four man system and an umpire at first base, he can assist in seeing that violation. Just because the runner broke for second does not illiminate the pitchers requirement to either step off or throw to 1st. There are quite a few pitchers in the MLB who have been getting away with that move more and more by pushing the envelope. Soon they are going to get their packages returned for non-sufficient postage.

 

"That's a balk!....Time....Second base!"

[noumpere]

I don't have it as a balk.

 

Just goes to show that anywhere theres judgement as opposed to a line on the field that youll get different calls.

 

And if I saw it from U1 or PUs view I might have it different.

[RichMSN]

I don't have it as a balk.

 

Just goes to show that anywhere theres judgement as opposed to a line on the field that youll get different calls.

 

And if I saw it from U1 or PUs view I might have it different.

 

Me either.  Looks like a garden variety throw to first base.

[blue23ll]

I don't see a balk here. Looks pretty routine.

[JaxRolo]

I don't see a balk here. Looks pretty routine.

Come on Blue!!!! How Could you not see that!!! You are Blid as a bat! You are Horrible!!! 

[umpstu]

That's not even a tough call. Routine throw to first.

[blue23ll]

 

I don't see a balk here. Looks pretty routine.

Come on Blue!!!! How Could you not see that!!! You are Blid as a bat! You are Horrible!!! 

 

Que, Que, Mi no habla.... at least you didn't say I was 'ridiculous'...

[mjr_2013]

 

I don't see a balk here. Looks pretty routine.

Come on Blue!!!! How Could you not see that!!! You are Blid as a bat! You are Horrible!!! 

 

 

 

 At least he's literate...

[Umpire in Chief]

I don't see a balk, Lefties have such an advantage. 

[mstaylor]

I don't see a balk, Lefties have such an advantage. 

No, they just cheat.