Umpire Balk

Kaliix · #1 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 15, 2005, 11:01am

I was watching the Yankees vs. Redsox game last night. Home plate umpire (Greg Gibson I think) was catching flack about his zone early and ran the an assistant coach(hitting coach I think) for arguing balls and strikes.

An inning or two later, Gibson calls a poorly framed pitch a strike and Redsox manager Terri Francona comes charging out of the dug. Gibson starts to make the "you're outta here" motion, stops as he starts to cock his arm back because he's thought better of it for the moment. He then asks Francona if he is coming out to argue balls and strikes (you could read his lips on the replay)? Francona must have said yes, because Gibson then tossed him.

While the announcers are watching the replay of the incident, Jim Kaat comments on the first almost ejection of Francona and ponders, "Is that an umpires balk?" Maybe you had to watch it, but at the time my wife and I were cracking up.

Mi-Umpire · #2 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 15, 2005, 11:41am

I saw that also, but the reason he "balked" was when Gibson threw out the batting coach Francona came flying out thinking he was out of the game. Gibson started to raise the arm and then pointed at Francona so he knew it was his turn. That was a terrible call I have to say though.

GerryB · #3 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 15, 2005, 11:49am

I'm not in Gibson's league, but IMHO would say that a game that features a (very) tall fireballer on one side and a dink and dunk pitcher on the other makes it hard to get a rhythm going. One of the tougher.

Macaroo · #4 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 15, 2005, 12:10pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Mi-Umpire
I saw that also, but the reason he "balked" was when Gibson threw out the batting coach Francona came flying out thinking he was out of the game. Gibson started to raise the arm and then pointed at Francona so he knew it was his turn. That was a terrible call I have to say though.

The batting coach was long gone at this point. Gibson decided not to be so quick on the trigger (thus the "balk") until he verified Francona was arguing balls and strikes, then gave him the heave-ho. Tough game all around for PU.

bluezebra · #5 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 15, 2005, 01:00pm

Quote:

Originally posted by GerryB
I'm not in Gibson's league, but IMHO would say that a game that features a (very) tall fireballer on one side and a dink and dunk pitcher on the other makes it hard to get a rhythm going. One of the tougher.

That's why they get paid the big bucks.

Bob

#6 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 15, 2005, 01:02pm

Gibson had a real rough night that night, he caught flak from both sides....

JimGrillo · #7 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 15, 2005, 05:42pm

Greg Gibson was the Plate Ump for Randy Johnson's perfect game last season. I watched that game when it was replayed over the winter, and I thought Gibson did a great job calling pitches that day. I didn't see any of the Red Sox - Yankees game, so I can't comment on his performance that night. I just that it was interesting that Gibson got the dish for the Big Unit again. Luck of the draw, I suppose.