Balk

[slingshot]

In the league where I umpire there is a coach who is trying everything in the book. I have not had the pleasure of doing one of his games but would really like to. This is what he pulled on Teusday night, I told PU after game balk all the way. Here is the sitch, R1 at 2nd F1 is stradle the rubber, comes to set position while not in contact with rubber R1 takes big lead F1 turns to pick off PU calls Balk, the show started then. I told PU after game F1 cannot decieve the runner in this manner, he called Balk for seperation of hands.

Just need some feed back from the vetrans to help with this one.

Thanks

[Umpire in Chief]

Coming to a set position while not engaged, balk for simulating a pitching mechanic.

Your friend got the result right, a balk, but while not engaged he can do almost anything.

Also for clarification, not trying to be a PITA, FED is the only organization which would call the runner at 2nd R1. The generally accepted terms are the OBR ones which would call him R2.

[Mr Umpire]

8.05(g) The pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch while he is not touching the pitcher’s plate;

Coming set is part of his natural motion from the stretch. The PU got the call right but for the wrong reason. He can put his hands together and separate them all day long while off the rubber. But, he cannot straddle the rubber and simulate he is going from the stretch and coming set.

It is a balk but for the rule stated above.

[jjb]

I think the plate umpire fell into a correct (balk) call, but for the wrong reason, and his timing was off. If the pitcher comes to a set while straddling the rubber, boom, call it then and there, loud and fast, before anything else goofy (pickoff/rundown/OB) happens.

[Balk Hater]

thank you gentlemen this the reason I joined this site to help me understand the ffing balk and all of the situations surrounding this ffing rule

[mstaylor]

A balk is one of the hardest things to learn to call correctly. I was a centerfielder so I had no previous experience with pitching rules. It took a lot of study and practice to get good at calling and teaching balks.

[therefump]

A balk is one of the hardest things to learn to call correctly. I was a centerfielder so I had no previous experience with pitching rules. It took a lot of study and practice to get good at calling and teaching balks.

Worse, there are those of us who did pitch and still have difficulty calling a Balk correctly in all instances. Yes, I know, I can be a dunderhead. :banghead:

[mstaylor]

Sometimes I wonder if it was better that I didn't know when I was learning. There are many times when you "know" something from your playing years and because you have certain preconceived notions it is hard to unlearn.

I always offer to go to 13/14 leagues to watch their pitchers and help them learn what they can and can't do. I taught a pitcher to pick from the wind-up, which he did one night. I was watching and the opposing manager, former pro player, had a stroke. He said it was a balk and the PU said it was legal. He said he had played pro ball and he "knew" it was a balk.

I took him a rulebook to read during the game. After about the fourth time through he allowed it was legal but he had never seen it done. Priceless!

[therefump]

Sometimes I wonder if it was better that I didn't know when I was learning. There are many times when you "know" something from your playing years and because you have certain preconceived notions it is hard to unlearn.

I always offer to go to 13/14 leagues to watch their pitchers and help them learn what they can and can't do. I taught a pitcher to pick from the wind-up, which he did one night. I was watching and the opposing manager, former pro player, had a stroke. He said it was a balk and the PU said it was legal. He said he had played pro ball and he "knew" it was a balk.

I took him a rulebook to read during the game. After about the fourth time through he allowed it was legal but he had never seen it done. Priceless!

Thoroughly agree. Have you ever made a call on a "gut instinct" then had to think what the rule was exactly. When I first started doing umpiring back in the dark ages (1982ish) coaches could make me doubt myself because I thought the way they did. As I gained experience I looked at the rules from "our" perspective if that makes any sense. Your Pro-coach was a great example.:banghead:

[MCLEOD36]

I still like Jim Evans DVD on balks. It is very helpful and not a lot of money...

[Majordave]

I still like Jim Evans DVD on balks. It is very helpful and not a lot of money...

Get it. Watch it. Take the balks test at the end then watch it again. You Will get better. Also, see my post from March about FED pitching rules. After watching the video the reading will make sense and you will get the FED balks too (If you work FED ball. If you don't work FED good for you. It is a frustrating set of rules to work under and apply consistently.)

Get the Jim Evans Balk Video/DVD. Do it now! You will not regret this purchase. I promise.