Pain in th a-- coach

[David Emerling]

The age level dictates how picky you are going to be about a balk. And balks, as we know, come in various varities. You can NEVER ignore a balk that is obvious to even the child's grandmother. But most balks are more subjective. Was that too much of a shoulder turn toward 1st? Did he pause long enough while coming set? These type of balks leave a lot of room for the umpire.

In my opinion, you HAVE to call a balk on a pitcher who fakes to first without stepping off the rubber. You have to call that balk at ALL levels.

---

Originally posted by PeteBooth
Originally posted by David Emerling
Originally posted by Robert G

In any case, in all set of rules that allow balks, I have never heard any discussion of warnings.

If you have young players and your intent is to give the young fellows a break - simply don't be so picky regarding technical balks. Apply that standard equally to both pitchers at all times. Don't advertise that you're going to be slack regarding balks. Just DO it without discussing it with the coaches.

IMO, we need a bridge between Not calling balks and a Balk-a-thon, That Bridge is a warning. It's not fair to a team who is coached properly from one that isn't. In addition one cannot simply ignore the Balk.

If it's a Championship Game (at the end of the season), then you are correct - No warnings however, we are not going to ignore them either. Normally, at least in the association I work for the 13/14 yr. olds (Modified / JV - HS Level) it's common practice to give ONE warning in the beginning of the season and that's it.

Starting with the second half of the season, then No Warnings and we start enforcing the Balks.

Pete Booth