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Originally Posted by Snaqwells
Reading is fundamental. Go back and re-read what that member wrote. He wasn't talking about not calling balks; he was talking about warning the pitcher when he's getting close but not quite violating the rules.
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Your need to insult is sad. I can have an opinion without needing to demean the other. I read the posts just fine.
Quote:
From Tim -
Quietly reminding a pitcher that he needs to "pause better" when you are a base umpire, telling post men in basketball to quit pushing on each other while trying to gain position, or assiting a wide reciever to line up legally in a football game are not coaching.
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Quote:
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From RichMSN - I am just a little ole' HS official, but I am happy to send a catcher out to talk to a pitcher (I'll call a balk when the pitcher balks, but when he's close but not balking, it hurts nobody to have the catcher remind him that he's close) or talk to post players to let them know I'm there. What I'm saying is that I agree completely.
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Tim and RichMSN both spoke about warning a pitcher after seeing him do something that you know isn't right. (Otherwise, you are simply an OOO.) As I and many others here have stated before, it ether is a balk or it isn't. If it isn't and you feel the need to tell a player to do something to avoid balking then you are coaching. If you don't have the fortitude to call the balk then hang up the gear. Yes, we all miss balks and then stew over the reality of it. Warning a guy after that is just as awful. Call what you see. Let the coaches do their job.
I find it particularly funny that a number of threads involve members who insist that they aren't paid to coach and bemoan leagues that require explanations for balks, INT, OBS, etc. Now, they are silent. Hmmmm.
Yes Bob, we all have tolerances for what is ethical and not. As with many things in umpiring, acceptable behavior is evolving. At one time, you could argue just as vehemently as the antagonist. At one time, you could simply make your call and ignore the call for getting assistance. Old school, unwritten rules are slowly falling away from upper level baseball. You won't see a CWS umpire pick and choose which rules are worthy of enforcement. Those are the guys I emulate.