balk or no

[JohmPMiller]

I was doing the bases in a USSSA game (10 yr olds) with a man on first. As the pitcher delivered the pitch the PU called balk for the first baseman having at least one foot in foul territory. I know all players except the catcher is supposed to be in fair territory but I didn't know this was a balk. He did this later when the third baseman did the same thing with R3 on. Is this correct. I was watching the pitcher for balk moves and did not see what happened on first or third as the pitcher pitched.

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by JohmPMiller
I was doing the bases in a USSSA game (10 yr olds) with a man on first. As the pitcher delivered the pitch the PU called balk for the first baseman having at least one foot in foul territory. I know all players except the catcher is supposed to be in fair territory but I didn't know this was a balk. He did this later when the third baseman did the same thing with R3 on. Is this correct. I was watching the pitcher for balk moves and did not see what happened on first or third as the pitcher pitched.

IT's not a balk. If the fielder was completely in foul territory, the pitch should be ignored (by interpretation) and the fielder made to stand in fair territory.

There is no clear interp on whether the fielder needs one or both feet in fair territory. Certainly, if no one complains, then one foot is enough. Either the NL or the AL (I forget which) allowed just one foot; the other required both feet if someone complained. I don't know what they do now that the umpire staffs are combined. FED only requires one foot.

[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by JohmPMiller

I was doing the bases in a USSSA game (10 yr olds) with a man on first. As the pitcher delivered the pitch the PU called balk for the first baseman having at least one foot in foul territory. I know all players except the catcher is supposed to be in fair territory but I didn't know this was a balk. He did this later when the third baseman did the same thing with R3 on. Is this correct. I was watching the pitcher for balk moves and did not see what happened on first or third as the pitcher pitched.

I believe the last major league player to be called for a Balk while being in Foul Territory was Jerry Remey of the Boston Red Sox. BTW, this is a trivia question as well. Jim Porter has more details on this play.

You do not call a Balk on this type of play - Simply ignor it. It has been established that F3 is allowed to have 1 foot in foul territory.

Personally, I do not know of any coach who would even inquire about this as it is really nit-pick'n

Pete Booth

[GarthB]

most likely stems from your partner's poor reading of 4.03:

"When the ball is put in play at the start of, or during a game, all fielders other than the catcher shall be on fair territory.

"(a) The catcher shall station himself directly back of the plate. He may leave his position at any time to catch a pitch or make a play except that when the batter is being given an intentional base on balls, the catcher must stand within the lines of the catcher's box until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. PENALTY: Balk"

Some less than observant umpires and a whole bunch of coaches do not understand that the Penalty described in (a) pertains ONLY to (a) and they apply it to F3 and F5.

I am always amazed at how many coaches yell for me to call a balk when F3 is outside the baseline. I now include a mention of this rule at all off- and pre-season coaches meetings at which I am invited to speak.

[Edited by GarthB on Aug 15th, 2001 at 11:18 AM]

[Gee]

See the PBUC/NAPBL 1.15, p6. G