Thread: Catcher's Balk
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Old Fri Jun 30, 2006, 01:58pm
SanDiegoSteve SanDiegoSteve is offline
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Andrew,

This is what the JEA has to say on the way this is to be called (emphasis mine):

"Customs and Usage: Professional umpires do not allow catchers to set-up initially beyond the lines of the catcher's box. Once the pitcher has begun his delivery and the pitch is imminent, umpires do not strictly enforce this rule. Today's game and strategy are totally different from the thinking applied when this rule was introduced. The "intentional pass" is accepted today as a wise (though risky) strategic play.

More times than not, even on the Major League level, the lines defining the catcher's box are not put down prior to the start of the game. This is clear evidence that the rule has outlived its purpose, and today's lax enforcement principles do not adversely affect the game."
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