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Old Sat Feb 06, 2010, 07:21pm
greymule greymule is offline
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DG: I think I'd call the balk in your situation. Saying, "Go, go, go!" is different from calling, "Time!"

johnnyg08: If the pitcher reflexively reacted to something the batter did, like hold up his hand or turn his head toward you, I'd give the pitcher the benefit of the doubt and not call the balk.

I remember an incident in a game I was listening to on the radio in the early 1960s. Hal Woodeshick relieved for Houston against Pittsburgh in the bottom of the ninth inning of a tie game with the bases loaded and none out. Woodeshick struck out the first two batters, got 2 quick strikes on Roberto Clemente, and was about to deliver his next pitch when Clemente held up his hand and asked for time. The ump didn't grant time, but Woodeshick stopped in his motion. He was called for a balk, and the winning run scored. Needless to say, a "discussion" ensued. I think that this play resulted in MLB's "enticed balk" policy.
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