Quote:
Originally posted by Jeremiah
I doubt that the only reason he called it a balk was because he was surprised. It was probably a combinatin of poor training (perhaps coaching when he played), and the moved looked awkward (surprising).
I called a balk "because he didn't step off" when I first started umpiring Babe Ruth. I had seen other umpires call this a balk and I don't think my partner had a clue as to whether it was a balk.
Personally, a coach doesn't necessarily have to know the rules all that well to be a "good" coach. Even if the coach thinks the hands are part of the bat, he still could be successful. In this situation, though, it could make a difference if the coach knows how to properly train his pitchers - but this one move is not going to change a winning team from a losing one.
Jeremiah
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I agree and disagree all at the same time.
A
good coach should teach his players every aspect of the game. Especially when they're young. That includes the RULES. Can you imagine playing a game if you don't know the rules? Who would even begin a game of monopoly under such conditions?
On the other hand, a
successful coach may not know the rules too well. He may be fortunate enough to have a group of talented players that simply win ... despite understanding the intricacies of the game very well. They run faster, hit and throw harder than their opponents - so they win. They are successful
despite their weak knowledge of the rules.
You are certainly correct about one thing - seldom will a weak umpire turn a winning team into a losing team.
The balk play we are discussing now is a good example of that. The balk called on my pitcher was really no big deal. I just wanted to make the point that we were not going to be subjected to this kind of random balk calling for the balance of the game. (This happened in the first inning in my game.) I figured if I could get the umpire to *not* repeat the balk call, that I could then continue to use that move at a later point in the game - if we so desired. Also, our pitcher had been taught that that move was *not* a balk. The fact that it *was* called a balk was a bit discouraging since it went against what he was taught.
I have come to a certain revelation this past season as a coach. When confronted with a weak umpire(s), you have to beware when you do anything unusual, advanced, or anything the umpire(s) may not recognize. They are very springloaded to call infractions for things they don't immediately recognize or understand.
Another example in one of our games: Our opponents had runners at 2nd and 3rd. My pitcher elected to pitch off the wind-up. The runner at 2nd was getting VERY bold with his leadoffs. I noticed this. I signaled for a timed pickoff play at 2nd, with my pitcher continuing to pitch from the wind-up position. We have practiced this a few times.
My pitcher toed the rubber in the classic wind-up position. Received the pickoff signal from the catcher. Continued to peer in. The shortstop broke for the bag, the catcher dropped his glove (the signal to spin and throw), our pitcher spun around and nailed the runner. My pitcher never stepped off the rubber while executing this maneuver. (We were playing under OBR, by the way.)
This was called a balk.
A very unexpected and seldom seen pickoff attempt.
The plate umpire first told me, "Your pitcher never came set."
Me: "I know, he was pitching from the wind-up."
PU: "But he didn't step off."
Me: "I know, he doesn't have to."
PU: "Wait a minute." (He was out of quarters so he went out to consult with his partner. His partner had called the runner out on the pickoff.)
He returns.
PU: "My partner said your pitcher made a motion toward home before attempting the pickoff."
Me: "But HE didn't call the balk - YOU did."
He's just making stuff up now. He finally gets this dejected look on his face. He shrugs his shoulders and says,
PU: "Well, if we got it wrong, then we got it wrong."
Me: "Now *that* I can understand."
And nothing more was said from me.
I don't mind when an umpire blows a call and says, "I blew it." But I don't like it when they lie to me and start making up rules in hope that I am completely ignorant of them.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN
[Edited by David Emerling on Aug 29th, 2004 at 04:57 PM]