Catchers Balk

[Guest Guest_kevin]

In the last inning of my game on Wednesday Night our game had 2 minutes left and the winning run was on second base. I was pitching and my catcher decided we should intentionally walk the next kid to kill time and there was no way we would get him out because he was standing on top of the plate. The other team had already received a warning for a ball and the umpire stated that we would get one too but we had not received it yet. The first pitch was called a balk and we didn't receive a warning or have any idea what we did wrong. Our entire team had no idea what the call was but there was now a runner on 3rd standing as the winning run. The next pitch was called a balk again winning the game for the opposing team. Our coaches had no idea what was going on and one of the got ejected for 3 games without an explaination. What should have the home plate umpire done in this situation?

[grayhawk]

If they ask, I will tell them (preferably in 5 words or less).  They usually ask if it's not obvious.

Since the title of this thread is "catcher's balk" and the balk was called when an intentional base on balls was being given, then my guess is that F2 was not in the catcher's box when F1 committed to pitch.

[kylehutson]

If you don't know why a balk was called, call time and ask the umpire for an explanation.

After I call a balk, I usually tell either the pitcher or the coach, but it's certainly not required to do so (and somebody here will likely tell me I'm wrong for providing an explanation without being asked).

[Mizzou2016]

What age? If they're young enough to receive balk warnings, they're young enough that you can provide a balk explanation without being asked.

[noumpere]

One thing the home plate umpire should not have done is "give a warning for a ball."  There's no rules support for that (unless it's some tournament special rule.)

 

And, no matter what happened, or how upset about it the coach was, there's no cause to act in such a way so as to receive a three game suspension (although I am assuming that the actions justified the suspension, and I don't know that for sure).

[Guest Guest_kevin]

this bantam age in Ontario, we are all supposed to receive a balk. One other issue was that it was called for my catcher not being in the catchers box was not even marked out. The batters box was event marked out

[noumpere]

this bantam age in Ontario, we are all supposed to receive a balk. One other issue was that it was called for my catcher not being in the catchers box was not even marked out. The batters box was event marked out

Seems like you got one.

 

While the umpire can give some leeway, the balk can be called whether the box is marked or not.  See, for example, the video from the recent MiLB game (someone else wil have to point you to it).

 

Determining whether it was a good / valid call is HTBT, and we weren't.

[Guest Guest_kevin]

Meant to say we are supposed to receive a warning

[ZebraStripes]

Here is the video of the recent Catcher's Balk.

 

 

[DVA7130]

The box doesn't need to be marked if the catcher is standing eight feet from the plate.

Sounds like the umpire had some serious balls for the right or wrong reasons.

[maven]

One thing the home plate umpire should not have done is "give a warning for a ball."  There's no rules support for that (unless it's some tournament special rule.)

That's a typo: should say 'balk', as his other posts make clear.

An umpire who has to call this balk twice in a row has a game management problem. I've never called it in my career. We might speculate: it almost sounds like a FYC, which has no place in amateur baseball (and the perceived need for which arises from failing to address other game management issues).

Maybe the umpire had a hot date.

[Richvee]

If you don't know why a balk was called, call time and ask the umpire for an explanation.

After I call a balk, I usually tell either the pitcher or the coach, but it's certainly not required to do so (and somebody here will likely tell me I'm wrong for providing an explanation without being asked).

I started doing this this year. After the call, give a 1-2 word explanation for all to hear.  "BALK!... NO STOP!"  or whatever the reason.  It was offered to us at a clinic as something you might want to try. I've done it a few times with good results. 

Edited July 17, 2015 by Richvee

[maven]

I started doing this this year. After the call, give a 1-2 word explanation for all to hear.  "BALK!... NO STOP!"  or whatever the reason.  It was offered to us at a clinic as something you might want to try. I've done it a few times with good results. 

I'd bet that you call time somewhere in there before offering the explanation.

I always do this.

[ZebraStripes]

I started doing this this year. After the call, give a 1-2 word explanation for all to hear.  "BALK!... NO STOP!"  or whatever the reason.  It was offered to us at a clinic as something you might want to try. I've done it a few times with good results. 

It also gives your partner a heads up as to what you saw.

[Richvee]

I'd bet that you call time somewhere in there before offering the explanation.

I always do this.

indeed.

[DVA7130]

I'd bet that you call time somewhere in there before offering the explanation.

I always do this.

Maybe if it's FED.

Possible live ball balk shenanigans are more immediately important than my explanation.

[maven]

Maybe if it's FED.

Possible live ball balk shenanigans are more immediately important than my explanation.

I'd bet you kill it before you start talking, which was my point.

[DVA7130]

I'd bet you kill it before you start talking, which was my point.

I'm sure we agree, we are just imagining it differently.

It usually goes:

*sees step balk* "That's a balk!"

*throws to first* *first baseman catches ball*

"TIme! Step balk! You, second"