Question that came up at Clinic this past weekend.

[chadozee]

Had an interesting thing happen this past weekend at a clinic.  We all know that balk rules differ from rule book to rule book.  So here's the question: 1. How do you verbalize a balk call, and...2. What physical mechanic do you use when you call it?  We got several different responses from our college instructors...I'd like to hear what you all think!!

[Replacematt]

Had an interesting thing happen this past weekend at a clinic.  We all know that balk rules differ from rule book to rule book.  So here's the question: 1. How do you verbalize a balk call, and...2. What physical mechanic do you use when you call it?  We got several different responses from our college instructors...I'd like to hear what you all think!!

<point> "That's a balk!" (if appropriate) "Time!"

Even though FED has it reversed, I still do it this way in the dozen or so FED games I do a year.

[Haid D' Salaami]

depends on the play... if the balk is where the pitcher stops  " That's a balk, time, point to the base"

 

if the pitch is caught and not hit.. That's a balk, let the pitch happen, Time we had a balk, you point to the base"

If the pitch is hit and a out is recorded .. That's a balk, the let play happen and when the out is recorded " time, we had a balk, you point to the base"..

 

pretty simple.

[afaber12]

I've not worked in under a ruleset that has an automatic dead ball for a balk, so have never worried about that stuff. The only mechanic I've ever been taught for calling balks is as follows:

1. With your right hand point to the pitcher and give the verbal "That's a balk".
2. If there's continuing action (ie the pitcher either continued with his pitch or pick off attempt) then allow it to play out. If everyone including the batter advances one base safely, then your work - as far as the balk is concerned - is done. (Unless you count having to explain why it was a balk and handle the ensuing argument.)
3. When play stops or once a runner is 'out' before reaching their one base advance, call "Time", and repeat step 1.
4. Award the runners their one base, starting with the runner closest to home: point to the runner getting the award with a verbal "You" or "Runner", then point them to their award base with a verbal "Second base".

[noumpere]

Had an interesting thing happen this past weekend at a clinic.  We all know that balk rules differ from rule book to rule book.  So here's the question: 1. How do you verbalize a balk call, and...2. What physical mechanic do you use when you call it?  We got several different responses from our college instructors...I'd like to hear what you all think!!

the "correct" way in FED is "Time.  That's a balk."  But, if you work any other levels you will accidentally make that (incorrect) declaration in one of those games.  So, I recommend "That's a balk. (pause) Time"

 

And, if someone dings you on it, and that's the only thing they have for you, you're too good to be working FED ball anyway. 

[chadozee]

As far as the verbal goes, the consensus at the clinic was "That's a Balk" (Loud enough that most of the time it simply stopped the action on its own...lol).  Then in FED play you would continue with time.

 

The big difference was what people would do as far as the physical mechanic goes.  Some put their hands up, (But in non FED this could be interpreted as time out), Some pointed to the Pitcher, some raised one hand, and still others did no mechanic whatsoever, just the verbal.

 

This was the first time I've really seen that many different interpretations of how to do the same thing.

[MadMax]

"Put their hands up" – My guess is that the universal mechanic for "Time!" is the Hands-Up, and this has been drilled into them. They probably have a FED background.

 

"Pointed to the Pitcher" – My guess is that they, like me, have been ingrained to "point at the infraction" or "point at the problem". Early in my umpire days, I pointed at everything. That is, until I worked a NAIA game with a regional umpire-trainer. After the first half-inning, I summarize the conversation like this: "Yes sir?" "The pointing... Why are you doing it?" "Uhm, habit?" "_Stop it_. You only point at atypical things, things that don't normally occur during a routine play. Pulled foot, a tag, the ball rolling across the ground... Got it?" "Yes sir". In discussions I've had with other umpires since, a Balk is an atypical thing. It's not normal. Thus, you point at it.

 

"Raised one hand" – Do they have a question? I think they have a question.

 

"No mechanic, just verbal" – My guess is this is an OBR -trained / experienced umpire, since if a balk occurs, it's a Delayed Dead Ball, and you let the play complete before stepping in. Any mechanic you use may distract the batter or the battery, and you've got a potentially dangerous pitch coming in.

 

Personally, I do such a wide variety of age levels, especially modified OBR wherein the first balk call upon a pitcher is an IDB warning, thereafter DDB, I now point and declare "That's a Balk!" on everything any occurrence. 

[Replacematt]

As far as the verbal goes, the consensus at the clinic was "That's a Balk" (Loud enough that most of the time it simply stopped the action on its own...lol).  Then in FED play you would continue with time.

 

The big difference was what people would do as far as the physical mechanic goes.  Some put their hands up, (But in non FED this could be interpreted as time out), Some pointed to the Pitcher, some raised one hand, and still others did no mechanic whatsoever, just the verbal.

 

This was the first time I've really seen that many different interpretations of how to do the same thing.

Putting your hands up is calling time. Don't do it unless you are. 

[Thunderheads]

 

As far as the verbal goes, the consensus at the clinic was "That's a Balk" (Loud enough that most of the time it simply stopped the action on its own...lol).  Then in FED play you would continue with time.

 

The big difference was what people would do as far as the physical mechanic goes.  Some put their hands up, (But in non FED this could be interpreted as time out), Some pointed to the Pitcher, some raised one hand, and still others did no mechanic whatsoever, just the verbal.

 

This was the first time I've really seen that many different interpretations of how to do the same thing.

Putting your hands up is calling time. Don't do it unless you are. 

 

So, in FED, after you point the balk, you do put your hands up and call time, then award bases

[Replacematt]

 

 

As far as the verbal goes, the consensus at the clinic was "That's a Balk" (Loud enough that most of the time it simply stopped the action on its own...lol).  Then in FED play you would continue with time.

 

The big difference was what people would do as far as the physical mechanic goes.  Some put their hands up, (But in non FED this could be interpreted as time out), Some pointed to the Pitcher, some raised one hand, and still others did no mechanic whatsoever, just the verbal.

 

This was the first time I've really seen that many different interpretations of how to do the same thing.

Putting your hands up is calling time. Don't do it unless you are. 

 

So, in FED, after you point the balk, you do put your hands up and call time, then award bases

 

 

If you are doing by-the-book FED mechanics, as stated above, you call time first, then announce the balk and awards.

[Thunderheads]

 

 

 

As far as the verbal goes, the consensus at the clinic was "That's a Balk" (Loud enough that most of the time it simply stopped the action on its own...lol).  Then in FED play you would continue with time.

 

The big difference was what people would do as far as the physical mechanic goes.  Some put their hands up, (But in non FED this could be interpreted as time out), Some pointed to the Pitcher, some raised one hand, and still others did no mechanic whatsoever, just the verbal.

 

This was the first time I've really seen that many different interpretations of how to do the same thing.

Putting your hands up is calling time. Don't do it unless you are. 

 

So, in FED, after you point the balk, you do put your hands up and call time, then award bases

 

 

If you are doing by-the-book FED mechanics, as stated above, you call time first, then announce the balk and awards.

 

I understand.

Won't call time first for two reasons: 1) its' meaningless because the infraction should be noted first (IMHO)  2) it makes more sense if you call both FED and OBR

[Replacematt]

 

 

 

 

As far as the verbal goes, the consensus at the clinic was "That's a Balk" (Loud enough that most of the time it simply stopped the action on its own...lol).  Then in FED play you would continue with time.

 

The big difference was what people would do as far as the physical mechanic goes.  Some put their hands up, (But in non FED this could be interpreted as time out), Some pointed to the Pitcher, some raised one hand, and still others did no mechanic whatsoever, just the verbal.

 

This was the first time I've really seen that many different interpretations of how to do the same thing.

Putting your hands up is calling time. Don't do it unless you are. 

 

So, in FED, after you point the balk, you do put your hands up and call time, then award bases

 

 

If you are doing by-the-book FED mechanics, as stated above, you call time first, then announce the balk and awards.

 

I understand.

Won't call time first for two reasons: 1) its' meaningless because the infraction should be noted first (IMHO)  2) it makes more sense if you call both FED and OBR

 

 

I agree entirely, and that's why I don't change for the handful of FED games I do.

[chadozee]

Thanks for the input guys...it's really helpful!

[Magic]

I just say (very loudly) BALK!! Then if it's FED I follow it up with time, if necessary. Usually when the pitcher hears balk, he stops his motion. And if he stops there is really no need to call time. So I dont. I never saw the reasoning for pointing so I don't do it. I mean really if you say Balk, is there any doubt who committed the Balk?

[Replacematt]

I just say (very loudly) BALK!! Then if it's FED I follow it up with time, if necessary. Usually when the pitcher hears balk, he stops his motion. And if he stops there is really no need to call time. So I dont. I never saw the reasoning for pointing so I don't do it. I mean really if you say Balk, is there any doubt who committed the Balk?

 

You still should call time in non-FED, because it's not automatically dead. It eliminates any potential issues. I personally think calling time in FED is redundant, because a balk is automatically dead (akin to a foul ball.)

[Magic]

I just say (very loudly) BALK!! Then if it's FED I follow it up with time, if necessary. Usually when the pitcher hears balk, he stops his motion. And if he stops there is really no need to call time. So I dont. I never saw the reasoning for pointing so I don't do it. I mean really if you say Balk, is there any doubt who committed the Balk?

You still should call time in non-FED, because it's not automatically dead. It eliminates any potential issues. I personally think calling time in FED is redundant, because a balk is automatically dead (akin to a foul ball.)

Yeah I can see your point there. I will usually call time if needed. I.e. pony ball. But most older high school aged kids I do are playing FED Rules anyways. Even the travel ball teams are mostly FED Rules because they are getting the kids ready for high school.

[NovaScotiaBlue]

No FED here in Canada so that's a non issue. Since I use the GD behind the plate and will be HOK when on the bases, I don't point, I just yell, "That's a Balk!!!"...wait to see what happens. When appropriate, I then kill the play with, "TIME, That''s a Balk"..direct runner/s as appropriate.

[basejester]

I just say (very loudly) BALK!! Then if it's FED I follow it up with time, if necessary. Usually when the pitcher hears balk, he stops his motion. And if he stops there is really no need to call time. So I dont.

I would want the ball explicitly dead while I award bases. 

 

And I wouldn't assume players know the ball is dead after a balk in Fed.  It's hard enough for umpires and coaches to keep the rulesets straight.  It doesn't cost anything to keep them informed and be clear.

[Magic]

I just say (very loudly) BALK!! Then if it's FED I follow it up with time, if necessary. Usually when the pitcher hears balk, he stops his motion. And if he stops there is really no need to call time. So I dont.

I would want the ball explicitly dead while I award bases.

And I wouldn't assume players know the ball is dead after a balk in Fed. It's hard enough for umpires and coaches to keep the rulesets straight. It doesn't cost anything to keep them informed and be clear.

Never been an issue for me. If it is I would make sure it wasn't anymore.