How do you see...

[LMSANS]

High School, LHP, R1, I'm in B.

 

Picks off R1, 3BC is screaming his foot went "beyond the rubber".  I didn't have anything and I was looking close because he picked off 3 runners.

 

My question is...how do you see if the foot goes beyond the pitchers plate to rule a balk when in B?  Is my depth perception that bad?  I couldn't tell if it was from that angle.

[scrounge]

Had that happen last night actually....I just said, when asked, his ENTIRE foot has to be behind the back edge - and it wasn't.
 

In reality, unless it's VERY obvious, it's highly unlikely you'd be able to see it well enough to be sure the whole foot going back. It's almost assuredly just whining.

[noumpere]

Some have used the "if you see the sole of his shoe" as a guideline.  It's a physiological thing, and isn't absolute.

[catsbackr]

"Coach, if you want that call, pay for a third umpire!"

[maven]

There is a rule difference here, but not one that makes much difference.

 

You can't tell the coach that you can't see it. Don't call it unless you're certain. If you're not certain, then he's not illegal, and "Coach, I've got him legal" is the best you can do.

 

The base coaches have a much better angle than an umpire in B or C for this. Not much to be done.

[LMSANS]

There is a rule difference here, but not one that makes much difference.

 

You can't tell the coach that you can't see it. Don't call it unless you're certain. If you're not certain, then he's not illegal, and "Coach, I've got him legal" is the best you can do.

 

The base coaches have a much better angle than an umpire in B or C for this. Not much to be done.

That's what I said (I've got him legal).  I did want to say "you've got a much better angle than me."  But that wouldn't really help things.

[urout17]

Here's a possible solution....If lines are marked on the field there should be a 45' line marked for the running lane half way up the first base line.  If you position yourself in deep C, lineup yourself and the pitcher with this 45' mark.  This position gives you a perfect angle for a balk call on a lefthander and also provides you with the correct angle to make a pickoff call at first.  We were always taught angle over distance.  Hope it helps. 

[ALStripes17]

Here's a possible solution....If lines are marked on the field there should be a 45' line marked for the running lane half way up the first base line. If you position yourself in deep C, lineup yourself and the pitcher with this 45' mark. This position gives you a perfect angle for a balk call on a lefthander and also provides you with the correct angle to make a pickoff call at first. We were always taught angle over distance. Hope it helps.

This will also put you lined up (closely) to the 45 foot mark of the 2B-3B baseline. Steals of or throw backs into 2B must not be important :P

[LMSANS]

Here's a possible solution....If lines are marked on the field there should be a 45' line marked for the running lane half way up the first base line.  If you position yourself in deep C, lineup yourself and the pitcher with this 45' mark.  This position gives you a perfect angle for a balk call on a lefthander and also provides you with the correct angle to make a pickoff call at first.  We were always taught angle over distance.  Hope it helps. 

I don't think you are understanding my question.  I'm talking about how far back the foot comes back before it commits him to pitch.

 

I typically find a spot in the ground for "to-the-base" criteria.

[CricketChapman]

Me: "Coach, that's a $50 call."

C: "What?"

Me: "That's what it'd cost to get a third umpire who can make that call."

[catsbackr]

Me: "Coach, that's a $50 call."

C: "What?"

Me: "That's what it'd cost to get a third umpire who can make that call."

$65.00 call in Tennessee!

[urout17]

You're correct LMSANS, I must not understand your question.

 

AlStripes 17, the OP says runner on R1.  My suggestion is for just this scenario. You can easily make your call on a stolen base at second with a few steps forward, again you'll have a 90 degree angle of that play.

 

I'll sit back now, keep quite and just read. 

[ALStripes17]

You're correct LMSANS, I must not understand your question.

AlStripes 17, the OP says runner on R1. My suggestion is for just this scenario. You can easily make your call on a stolen base at second with a few steps forward, again you'll have a 90 degree angle of that play.

I'll sit back now, keep quite and just read.

I like the effort. Heck if that were the case, just let the PU call the pick back into 1B. He has the 90 degree angle there

[urout17]

Sorry, I thought we were talking about the pitchers front leg position, whether it crosses the plane or the landing of that front leg. In the deep C position you can also see whether the pitcher is pushing his luck with the 45 deg landing.  Like I said, just a thought.