Balk?

[The Flush]

Is this a balk?  If so, what is the violation?

 

 

 

[maven]

Yes, that is a balk. It is neither a step toward 2B with the free foot, nor a step backward with the pivot foot. It thus does not qualify for a step and throw to a base, nor for a legal disengagement, the only 2 legal things he can do other than pitch to the batter when engaged on the rubber. OBR 5.07(a)(2)/8.01(b), FED 6-1-3

[DVA7130]

I don't have a balk. Looked like his foot just got caught up in a crappy mound. Not much different from a quick step overall.

[basejester]

People who aren't the umpire need to refrain from yelling balk.

 

[JaxRolo]

Looks like it was a solo game. Things are going to slip by without some help.

[noumpere]

There is sometimes a fine line between a "clumsy move cased by a poor field" (or in my case caused by lack of coordination) and an intentional illegal move.  I have the latter pretty clearly in this case.

[maineump]

I have a balk - can't call it on crappy field. We call a dropped ball a balk, we call runners out who slip on a crappy field - he hung the leg, then hopped.

[scrounge]

I can see a lot of people passing on it - heck, I probably would half the time as well - but I think that little pause and hop was designed to get the runner to break. He didn't step directly to 2B, he paused and thus, started and stopped.

[JaxRolo]

Not convinced it's a balk.

but either way. Low level game, crappy mound. Probably wouldn't call it anyway if it was a balk.

[Jimurray]

It's impossible to balk TO 2B. But this pitcher hung everything, with nothing moving, albeit for a short time, in his pitch to HP. Thus a balk. We allow a Japanese windup but we don't allow hang everything in this case.

Edited July 9, 2015 by Jimurray

[Thunderheads]

@maven has it ........ that's a balk guys ...... at any level

[Trakes2]

I don't know how you don't have a balk here(unless you're an umpire who wears his hat backwards on the plate...) Is it hard to balk to second?--Yes. BUT you can't 'Crow-Hop' your pick-off throw there...

[JaxRolo]

"That's a Balk!!!"

[scrounge]

I don't have a balk. Looked like his foot just got caught up in a crappy mound. Not much different from a quick step overall.

Ok, I get disagreeing - I do as well - but I don't think we should vote down sincere long-time member posts that aren't flaming or obnoxious.

[at time of post, DVA's post was a -1 and at the bottom of the screen, out of context]

Edited July 9, 2015 by scrounge

[BillKen]

Balk...start-stop.  Pitch begins with first move after the set.  If he wants to go to 2nd, it has to be one motion.  If he wants to pitch, it has to be one motion.  He can't disengage with his non-pivot foot in the air...that would be a 2nd motion.

If you happen to think this isn't a balk, ask yourself this;  If the runner was at 3rd and the pitcher did the exact same move (hop off while the non-pivot foot was in the air), and threw to third...would you balk that?  How is this any different.

You can balk to 2nd base...if you start and stop!

[DVA7130]

I can see it more now as a stop in the motion than the hop/quickstep.

[ElkOil]

Balk all day in my book.