Tanaka's Balk

[kstrunk]

I don't have the ability to post a video, but did anyone see the balk called on Tanaka yesterday vs. the Nats? Commentators were driving me nuts!!!! I'm fairly certain he didn't gain ground on his throw, thus the balk, but the commentators were pontificating about his leg buckling (which it didn't). But his non-pivot foot was clearly within the confines of the pitcher's plate when he threw, which must have been the call. Anyone else see it? 

[Umpire in Chief]

I'm looking for the video now. Do you have a link?

 

[kstrunk]

11 minutes ago, Umpire in Chief said:

I'm looking for the video now. Do you have a link?

 

Sorry chief, not finding it. 

[Jimurray]

51 minutes ago, kstrunk said:

Sorry chief, not finding it. 

They don't really have to indicate it any more but did you see if the calling umpire tapped his leg indicating a step balk?

[kstrunk]

No indication that I saw. Obviously it doesn't mean there wasn't one, but if there was, it wasn't shown. 

[Rich Ives]

1 hour ago, kstrunk said:

I don't have the ability to post a video, but did anyone see the balk called on Tanaka yesterday vs. the Nats? Commentators were driving me nuts!!!! I'm fairly certain he didn't gain ground on his throw, thus the balk, but the commentators were pontificating about his leg buckling (which it didn't). But his non-pivot foot was clearly within the confines of the pitcher's plate when he threw, which must have been the call. Anyone else see it? 

Doesn't mean anything. The foot just has to gain ground toward the base. As long as the distance is greater than zero it's OK.

MLBUM: In stepping to a base, the pitcher must lift his entire non-pivot foot off the ground and bring it
down in a location different from where it started and toward the base. The entire non-pivot foot
must move in a direction and distance to the base. This will constitute a step. The pitcher is not
allowed to lift his non-pivot foot up and bring it back down in the same spot where it started. In
stepping, the heel of the pitcher's free foot may not end up in the same spot it started.

 

 

[kstrunk]

Thanks for the quote, very helpful. 

3 minutes ago, Rich Ives said:

The entire non-pivot foot must move in a direction and distance to the base.

Realizing his non-pivot foot being in the confines of the pitcher's plate means nothing, I'm now as sure as I can be without knowing for certain that this is what was called. The numerous replays showed his non-pivot gaining no distance, nor direction to 1B. 

[Richvee]

Didn't see it but if you ask me Tanaka balks almost every time there's runners on. Start stop.He double sets.