Seeing a Step Balk

[baseballfan]

I was doing a one-man HS winter ball game today. Apparently, there was a step balk that I had missed. F1 spun and faked and didn't step off. From what i've read in the PBUC manual, the PU is supposed to have the best view of the step balk. How can I work on this? When the pitcher gets on the rubber and into set position, I feel like I am looking at his upper body to see when he's getting ready to pitch and to time when I should get into my stance. Should I be looking at his feet instead? Any thoughts?

[ricka56]

Once F1 initiates his set position, PU's eyes should stay on F1. When this begins, you should somehow already be lined up with HP, so that you don't have to take your eyes off of F1. I have some reference already picked out before F1 initiates the set position. Either I have my inside foot where it will need to be and step in with the outside foot and I am lined up, or my head is already lined up and I just have to spread my feet to find my position. Again, once F1 takes to the rubber, my eyes stay on F1.

 

With your eyes on F1 (you are 45-60 feet away), you can see pretty much everything F1 does. But PU is responsible for the feet (clearing the rubber).  I'm not focusing just on the feet, I'm just watching F1 in general. But if he goes for a pickoff, PU has to then focus in on where the pivot lands.

 

I think you said that this was going to be your first HS game. If missing one balk was the worst thing you did, then congrats.

[FlaUmp22]

I find it helps me not to focus just on one thing of the pitcher but once he comes in contact with the rubber to look at him as a whole and in a more general view; I find this helps me catch no-stop balks easier as well... once the pickoff attempt happens you have to keep your eyes on the feet, but working one man you also have the responsibility of the outcome of the pickoff as well so you just do the best you can. 

 

Like @ricka56 says if you just missed one step balk working 1 man for your first HS game you did a good job

[JaxRolo]

You didn't miss it. Just a coach being an a$$.

[MidAmUmp]

I don't know how you can focus on a step balk and a play at 1st base in 1-man.  You're going to catch hell either way.  Focus on the pitcher too long and you miss the play at 1st.  Focus on the play at 1st and miss a balk.  Do the best you can.  Sometimes you just have to umpire.

 

When you are working 2 or more man and don't have responsibilities on the play at 1st, you need to be watching the pitcher.  All of him.  When he makes his initial movement to 1st, you need to:

1. Watch his feet to see if A) he gains distance/direction.  If he doesn't balk him. &  B) if he is in contact or if he has stepped off.  

2. Then watch him throw the ball.  If he doesn't throw and is ingaged, balk him.

 

Personally I get hands on knees very early, then drop into my stance as the pitcher commits to the plate.  I do this for several reasons, but one of them is that I don't miss the pitcher committing any illegal acts while I'm shifting around trying to get into my stance.  If you're going to get into your stance later, you need to do it once the pitcher makes some sort of commitment to pitch (lifts his leg) and yes, I know a pitcher can lift his leg and still throw to a base, but you get the drift.

[umpstu]

You didn't miss it. Just a coach being an a$$.

Hey, since we are retired Navy do we have to answer questions starting with the phrase, 'in my military mind"?

[afaber12]

Personally I get hands on knees very early, then drop into my stance as the pitcher commits to the plate.  I do this for several reasons, but one of them is that I don't miss the pitcher committing any illegal acts while I'm shifting around trying to get into my stance.  If you're going to get into your stance later, you need to do it once the pitcher makes some sort of commitment to pitch (lifts his leg) and yes, I know a pitcher can lift his leg and still throw to a base, but you get the drift.

 

We were taught at our last state training course, and its in the various helper documents for umpires floating around from the Australian Baseball Federation, that at least with runner(s) on, any base umpires should go into hands-on-knees set as the pitcher engages the rubber. Its still recommended, though not required, with the bases empty. One of the things its supposed to achieve is to help the plate umpire with his judgement regarding possible balks, to ensure he knows when the pitcher is and isn't engaged. I don't know how effective it is for that, but I know that I find it helps me to focus on the pitcher, and all of what he's doing rather than just his feet, or hands, etc.

[mstaylor]

I agree with ricka and others that say you need to watch the whole body. While it is true the PU has the best shot at at seeing him gaining distance, the BU has the best look at if he is engaged or not. The problem is you were one man so now you have a choice, balk or not. If you don't see an obvious disengage, balk him. If his pivot moves, assume he stepped off and get you call at first. No matter what you call somebody is going to complain. Shut it down and go on.