Two Balks, One Game

[CricketChapman]

From yesterday's Yanks-Angels contest.

Feint to first
http://m.mlb.com/video/v32402763/laanyy-trout-goes-to-second-on-betances-balk/?query=balk

Start/stop?
http://m.mlb.com/video/v32397813/laanyy-teixeira-scores-on-santiagos-balk/?query=balk


In the first clip, it looks like F1 half-assed a step off attempt and ended up doing more of a jab step toward third.  Danny I on the spot.

The second clip is too short to tell exactly what happened, but F1 was really fidgety up there.

[maven]

The first clip (which actually happened second) is a balk because it's a jump/jab step and commits F1 to throw to 1B. I called this last weekend, and coach wanted to know why it doesn't count as stepping off. The answer is: legally disengaging requires the pivot foot on the ground before the free foot moves or the hands separate. We're not too technical on the hands, but when that free foot starts toward 1B before the pivot is on the ground, that's a balk every time when he fails to throw.

 

Too bad they didn't show a replay of the second balk, because that is a crucial balk to get with bases loaded, especially in OBR (in FED F1 may not throw to a base from the windup, so it is less common). From the windup, any movement of hands or feet (other than a momentary adjustment of the ball in glove) commits F1 to pitch to the batter. Here, F1 separated his hands, which committed him to pitch. Then he failed to pitch (tried to step off), which is, as Cricket points out, a start/stop balk. If you don't get this and a runner gets picked, you've given F1 a significant advantage not intended by the rules.

[maven]

Another comment about Iassogna's call. Notice that he does NOT call that balk immediately when it happens. He processes it first, recognizes the infraction, and then calls it.

 

Don't feel that you must pass on a balk just because a couple seconds have elapsed.

[Thunderheads]

Another comment about Iassogna's call. Notice that he does NOT call that balk immediately when it happens. He processes it first, recognizes the infraction, and then calls it.

 

Don't feel that you must pass on a balk just because a couple seconds have elapsed.

I was just going to post this ...I didn't see this post yet ..... good catch Maven!