Thats a Balk - by the numbers

[SAump]

There are 15 ways to balk.

1. switches his pitching stance from the windup position to the set position (or vice versa)
without properly disengaging the rubber;
2. when going from the stretch to the set position, fails to pitch;
3. throws from the rubber to a base without stepping toward
(gaining distance in the direction of) that base;
4. throws from the rubber to a base where there is no runner and no possibility of a play;
5. steps or feints from the rubber to first base without completing the throw;
6. pitches a quick return pitch, that is, intending to catch the batter off-guard;
7. pitches or mimics a part of his pitching motion while not in contact with the rubber;
8. drops the ball while on the rubber;
9. after a feint or throw to a base from the rubber, fails to disengage
the rubber before reengaging and pitching;
10. after beginning to pitch, interrupts his pitching motion;
11. begins to pitch while the catcher is out of the catcher's box when giving an
intentional walk;
12. while pitching, removes his pivot foot from the pitching rubber, except to pivot;
13. inordinately delays the game;
14. pitches while facing away from the batter;
15. after bringing his hands together on the rubber, separates them except in making a
pitch or a throw;
16. stands on or astride the rubber without the ball, or mimics a pitch without the ball

Source: Rules and quirks -- The Hardball Times

Should I have a list like this on the ballfield?

Does this violate that unwritten rule about taking a rulebook onto the field?

Side note: Check out, "Twenty-three ways to get a man (any man) on first base."
Research "8. Batting out of turn" by following the "catalogued" link to Retrosheet.
I provided the link above.

[briancurtin]

"Should I have a list like this on the ballfield?"
Yes, and hand one to each of the coaches at the pre-game.



In case it isn't clear: No.

[waltjp]

Think if the time you can save. Before the manager even makes his way to the stop step you can tell him, "That's a number 7, Skip."

[justanotherblue]

Keep working on it.. there are more than 15, a good rule of thumb to go by. If you can't describe it, don't call it.

[Blue37]

What about #9? I am at work without books, so I cannot look it up. I did not know that was a balk. It is one of the "technical" balks that is not called?

[tip184]

You've got to know the rules when you walk onto the field. Looking down a list of all possible balks after every pitch with a runner on base just isn't going to cut it.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by justanotherblue

... a good rule of thumb to go by. ... don't call it.

I call only the balks that are unavoidable.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

I call only the balks that are unavoidable.

Kevin,

Since all balks are "avoidable" - I know this because I regularly see pitchers pitch and make pick-offs without balking - I have no idea what you are trying to convey by this statement.

Nonetheless, I believe I disagree with your assertion.

Would you care to clarify?

JM

[Durham]

He means he only calls the extremely obvious balks if I am not mistaken.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Kevin,

Since all balks are "avoidable" - I know this because I regularly see pitchers pitch and make pick-offs without balking - I have no idea what you are trying to convey by this statement.

Nonetheless, I believe I disagree with your assertion.

Would you care to clarify?

JM

Balks that are so obvious that they must be called. Calling the balk is unavoidable.

I hate calling balks and I hate it when a game turns on a borderline balk call.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by Durham

He means he only calls the extremely obvious balks if I am not mistaken.

Thanks, Durham

(I answered before I read your post)

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Balks that are so obvious that they must be called. Calling the balk is unavoidable.

I hate calling balks and I hate it when a game turns on a borderline balk call.

What about calling a borderline strike 3 that changes the game? Don't do that either?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

What about calling a borderline strike 3 that changes the game? Don't do that either?

How are you making this leap in logic? There is no correlation, and it's an unfair comparison. I think Mr. Finnerty is saying to not go looking for ticky-tac balk calls, especially when the call could have game-changing ramifications.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

What about calling a borderline strike 3 that changes the game? Don't do that either?

That is as specious a comparison as one can make and still be related to baseball.

[TussAgee11]

A balk is a balk. Just like a strike is a strike.

Its not going looking for boogers. Lets say JV or higher...

If I got a balk, I got a balk. I am always going to be 100% sure of it, but if I'm 100% sure on what you may deem to be "ticky-tack," I'm still calling it. 1st inning, 7th inning. I don't care. How could I and still think of myself as an umpire with integrity?

Sometimes, you just gotta let 'em hang. Shying away from the tough call, when I'm 100% sure of it, will not move me up in this profession. Justly making it will.