Balks

[Majordave]

Exactly! Unfortunately, not enough umpires have the same attitude. If you're not getting better, you're getting worse.

AR

I use this as kind of a mantra for myself and the high school students I teach and the players I coach.

I am teaching balks at my HS association on 2/4. I have a PowerPoint, a handout, the Jim Evans Balk Video end of the DVD test portion and a short quiz lined up. Since I teach and used to be a training officer in the Army and a trial attorney I tend to try to cover all the bases more than once.

Last year I did the same training class and I presented with a slide up on a screen and then got the video test in before I was walked/talked over by my assigner who says "the best balk call is a no balk call". I was pissed.

Several guys have told me that it was the best training we have had in our association. I am going to preface my comments this year that I intend to finish as we have reformatted the meetings to give assigner time at the end and only the end for time saving purposes. He is a great guy and I get big games but for some reason if it is not about him he gets a little testy and vocal. Our new President has him roped in so far but our trainings have lasted no more than 5 to 7 minutes per meeting.

We had an incident during a district game in our region last year where two highly competitive teams with former college/pro player coaches for both. A very senior umpire in our association did not call a balk on one team's pitcher when apparently everyone in the park knew he balked and had been balking. (twitched his knee while set after the stretch with a runner on second) then delivered the pitch. The home/offensive team coach asked why that was not a balk. I know the coach and he can be abrasive but apparently was just asking and he got tossed by Senior umpire (now retired-big crybaby speech at or first meeting this year announcing his retirement from umpiring).

Local newspaper sportswriter gave umpires names in article about the game. Senior umpire followed tossed coach across diamond screaming back at him after ejection. Glad I wasn't involved. Got full report from fans in stands I know and assistant coach I know and home plate umpire friend of mine. Home plate umpire said it looked and sounded like coach of home/offensive just asked why it was not a balk without any demonstration or anything. "It looked to me like they were just talking then everything blew up." Senior umpire admitted that the coach he tossed only asked but that "I didn't like being questioned on my calls". This was a big seeding game for district tournament. Any team in this district is capable of going to and winning state in any given year. Four or five state championships by teams out of this district in the last 7 or 8 years.

It was a big fiasco all because of a "No balk is the best balk call".

Most of the teams in our region are very well coached. When I coached Legion ball with a former AAA pitcher we used to teach pitchers how to not get called for a balk or at least test the umpire limits, especially with lefty pitchers, knowing that most umpires hate to call balks. I know some of the better/more competitive coaches teach these things as well. Thus I am very attentive when I umpire. Balks are in the rules for a reason.

So, when you see one, call one. But you have to prepare and know the rules first and review them periodically during the season. Some teams are coached to see if you will call it and it is part of the game.

Thanks for reading another diatribe by the Major.

[mstaylor]

You would love working with me Dave, I will call a balk when I see it.

I managed a 13/14 team last year with the asst GM of a local resturant/bar. One of the bartenders asked what was a balk. I gave him the very bare bones. He laughingly said," So it's a way for you to ruin a kid's game!"

[BrianC14]

...

It was a big fiasco all because of a "No balk is the best balk call".

Heck, I worked a Musial game last summer and my partner called 3 in one inning on the same pitcher.

"See a balk, call a balk."

It's guys like your 'senior umpire' pal that make me wonder "What other rules do you ignore ?"

:BD:

Edited January 28, 2009 by BrianC14

[Umpire in Chief]

Based on some of the recent comments on balks in the Too Professional thread I wanted to open a new thread.

[Umpire in Chief]

My theory on umpiring development is that calling balks is a stage in development and possibly a measure of where they are in their progression.

First newer umpires are sometimes so unfamiliar with or uncomfortable in calling balks they will let them slide either intentionally or unintentionally.

Then you have the situation where newer umpires are actually thinking about every situation on the field, i.e. if the ball is hit (here) I have to go (there). Their mind is so full of thinking what they have to do next they are slow to react when they see one.

The next step is a confidence issue. I saw a balk but nobody else said anything so I won't call it as not to stir the pot.

The next step is they see them and recognize it, but they got fooled too and don't call them because they realize they were too slow in recognizing the balk, and can't call it now. I honestly fall back to here every once and again saying to myself, "Man, that was a balk and I missed it"

The next stage is being on the look out for it and properly calling it. Properly calling a balk is almost opposite to what we learn as umpires about timing because here you have to be pretty quick in your call, especially in HS where it is an immediate dead ball.

Also, when you're playing under OBR and it's not an immediate dead ball a little trick is to call the balk loudly and forcefully enough that the play stops on it's own. This can save you trouble down the road dealing with coaches.

[Majordave]

My theory on umpiring development is that calling balks is a stage in development and possibly a measure of where they are in their progression.

First newer umpires are sometimes so unfamiliar with or uncomfortable in calling balks they will let them slide either intentionally or unintentionally.

Then you have the situation where newer umpires are actually thinking about every situation on the field, i.e. if the ball is hit (here) I have to go (there). Their mind is so full of thinking what they have to do next they are slow to react when they see one.

The next step is a confidence issue. I saw a balk but nobody else said anything so I won't call it as not to stir the pot.

The next step is they see them and recognize it, but they got fooled too and don't call them because they realize they were too slow in recognizing the balk, and can't call it now. I honestly fall back to here every once and again saying to myself, "Man, that was a balk and I missed it"

The next stage is being on the look out for it and properly calling it. Properly calling a balk is almost opposite to what we learn as umpires about timing because here you have to be pretty quick in your call, especially in HS where it is an immediate dead ball.

Also, when you're playing under OBR and it's not an immediate dead ball a little trick is to call the balk loudly and forcefully enough that the play stops on it's own. This can save you trouble down the road dealing with coaches.

Dead on analysis and commentary on stages of balk calls by new/inexperienced/untrained umpires.

Balks are an area where if you did not pitch or catch when you played or if you did not coach pitchers on a 90' diamond then you can be lost at the beginning of a 90' diamond umpiring career.

You said OBR is not an automatic dead ball on a balk call. NCAA is also not automatically dead. Only the fantasy/bizarro world of NFHS baseball kills play when a balk is called. So, in OBR and NCAA-Sound off like you got a pair!

Edited January 28, 2009 by Majordave
clarify my use of english

[LMSANS]

When I was a cadet, workinga JV game I was the BU in C (R2). F1 makes a wild turn and stops before throwing. Before I could stop myself, I yell "balk" (my first) and direct R2 to 3B. The DC asks for time and comes out to ask me about. He said something like "what was the balk?" I said wait a second and went over to my partner and said "I blew that one, so just nod your head and when we break I'm erasing the balk and sending the runner back to 2B." My partner just looked at me and nodded.

I went back and announced not quite as loudly as I called the balk, that there was no balk and sent the runner back to 2B.

The coach said thank you and went back to his bench. The OC never said a word.

:boohoo:

[mstaylor]

I was a centerfielder when I played so it took me a while to learn and understand how to call balks. Now I'm the local expert on the balk rule.

[jamesparke]

My favorite balk story is related to a pitcher who kept the ball in his right hand and from the ready position he would juggle the ball. The game day was a little cool hence his grip was not good enough! The first time I saw him drop the ball I was shocked (being varsity level HS) and did nothing...nor did the OC and fans. Sure enough one inning later he did it again and I called it bringing out the DC. A short conversation . So I fit the category of seeing the obvious and missing the call but it was nice to call the same balk in the same game!

[BrianC14]

My favorite balk story is related to a pitcher who kept the ball in his right hand and from the ready position he would juggle the ball. The game day was a little cool hence his grip was not good enough! The first time I saw him drop the ball I was shocked (being varsity level HS) and did nothing...nor did the OC and fans. Sure enough one inning later he did it again and I called it bringing out the DC. A short conversation . So I fit the category of seeing the obvious and missing the call but it was nice to call the same balk in the same game!

What is the "ready position" ? Never heard of that one.. ??? :wave:

[DonInKansas]

My guess would be the set position.

[Majordave]

or the time when he is standing on the rubber and taking the signs from catcher before coming set after the stretch?

Just a thought.

[mstaylor]

I'm assuming Dave's guess. I had never seen anybody actually drop a ball standing on the rubber until two years ago. I was working an adult regional and it happened twice in one game, one pitcher for each team. I got both but I was shocked to see it at that level.

[Mike Walsh]

My favorite balk story is related to a pitcher who kept the ball in his right hand and from the ready position he would juggle the ball. The game day was a little cool hence his grip was not good enough! The first time I saw him drop the ball I was shocked (being varsity level HS) and did nothing...nor did the OC and fans. Sure enough one inning later he did it again and I called it bringing out the DC. A short conversation . So I fit the category of seeing the obvious and missing the call but it was nice to call the same balk in the same game!

I assume the ready position means he was in contact with the rubber, or else it would not be a balk. That said, why wouldn't you call a balk if he was juggling the ball (even if he didn't drop it)?

I used to have a pet peeve about balks not being echoed by my partner. It helps prevent arguments if both guys call it. Even with the best of partners it just doesn't happen, so I finally gave up worrying about it.

Mike

[JohnnySpot]

jamesparke,

welcome to this board...a forum that is the most civil on the net...

BrianC is asking you to be more clear when describing a situation...the two possible positions the pitcher could be in are the 'set' or the 'windup'...there is no 'ready' position...either way I think you meant that he was touching the rubber when he dropped the ball..yup that's a balk...

once again

welcome

[JohnnySpot]

I assume the ready position means he was in contact with the rubber, or else it would not be a balk. That said, why wouldn't you call a balk if he was juggling the ball (even if he didn't drop it)?

I used to have a pet peeve about balks not being echoed by my partner. It helps prevent arguments if both guys call it. Even with the best of partners it just doesn't happen, so I finally gave up worrying about it.

Mike

Mike

before he comes set he is entitled to 'make any natural preliminary motion' known as the stretch...so before he come set and during the stretch he wants to take the chance of dropping the ball by juggling it, I don't have a balk yet...

[BrianC14]

Mike

before he comes set he is entitled to 'make any natural preliminary motion' known as the stretch...so before he come set and during the stretch he wants to take the chance of dropping the ball by juggling it, I don't have a balk yet...

Agreed. There's nothing illegal for F1 to have the ball in the stretch position, behind his back, or at his side, and rolling it around in his hand (some have referred to it as 'juggling'. I've been asked by coaches if that move should be a balk, but the answer is 'No.'

[POLOGREEN]

I had that exact (almost) situation happen to me only as a coach. I was playing a rival at their field the game went into extra innings, they had the bases loaded with 2 outs. I brought in my BEST pitcher, he looks in and gets his sign, DROPS THE BALL, game over!!!!!!!

[Mike Walsh]

Agreed. There's nothing illegal for F1 to have the ball in the stretch position, behind his back, or at his side, and rolling it around in his hand (some have referred to it as 'juggling'. I've been asked by coaches if that move should be a balk, but the answer is 'No.'

Adjusting the ball in the hand is legal. In fact, in the wind-up position, the pitcher can reach into his glove, adjust the ball, and take his hand out of the glove without balking. I interpreted juggling to mean tossing the ball up into the air a few inches and catching it. I've seen that at the lower levels, but never in high school. I never heard the term juggling used in baseball, but equated it to what you see guys do with bowling pins. If those pins don't leave his hands, he's not juggling B).

[JohnnySpot]

even it leaves his hand a few inches, during his preliminary stretch, i don't have a balk

[scobes7]

How about while in the set position,pitcher takes the ball and wipes his cheek with the ball in hand?

[Umpire in Chief]

From the set position if his hands are together - Balk! If they haven't come together then nothing.

I balked a pitcher in fall ball this year for being set position w/ R3 hands are together and was shaking off the signals. With out stepping off he pulled his pitching hand out of his glove with the ball and gave the 'rotate through the signals again' signal to the catcher and I balked in the run. The real head coach who was in the box had a coronary, but the catcher was hollering to the pitcher he cant do that.

[NFUA_44]

If you see it, call it, of course that's assuming you caught it! And yes I'm just as guilty as everyone else of gettin fooled again (there's a lyric in there somewhere), however at the start of last years HS season I had some fun.

JV Coach is a super guy, and works hard with his kids in all aspects of the game, but takes pride in his pitchers especially. We've had the discussion a few times about how some schools in the area want a prohibition on calling balks for a short period of time, and of course he isn't in favor of it, so we have conversed and I know from past experience he's watching, not to mention I don't see the point in not calling it and further muddying the waters for my little brain. Nice warm spring day, and the opposing starter has run out of gas, up comes the reliever (I forgot to mention, that my partner was a NO Show, so I'm flying Solo), he's now going to pitch to the JV equivilant of Greg Luzinski (and I do mean BIG). First pitch..........BALK!!!!! I pronouce, as the ball sails around 400 ft. over Left Center..........Fortunately the kid got to park another one later in the game, but I got a whole bunch of smiles and laughs from the coach, for doing nothing more than what I'm supposed to do...........

[mazzamouth]

Dave, im with you, I think a lot of umpires don't call balk's maybe they are scared or don't know them or don't want to have to explain to a coach, me Shoot I will call them when ever they are there. But i will tell you the only time I don't want to call a balk is if there is a runner on 3rd and its late in the game and the score is close or even tied... and only cause the outcome of the game.. but then again if it one of the really obvious calls then im all over it.

[LMSANS]

When I first started, I didn't call balks (or illegal pitches in softball) unless I felt I could explain why I was making the call. As I've gotten more experience and studied more, I call when I see 'em, regardless of the game situation.