Ozzie's at it again.....

[grunewar]

Rips Joe West.

Guillen rips ump after White Sox top Indians 5-4 - USATODAY.com

I smell a fine!

[bas2456]

More like a suspension. Second one definitely looked like a balk to me.

[kylejt]

"But in the meanwhile, those years are on his shoulders and kind of heavy and showing people who he is."

Classic. Oz calls Cowboy Joe fat.

[umpjim]

Has Joe called any of KRods games and called a no stop balk? I thought that that lefties can get away with murder so I watch them close but I can't see the balk in the first one but maybe in the second one in the video I pull up. What did Joe see? The 2B ump echoed it quicker than I would expect so what did he see? The only thing I can think of that would get Joe and the 2B ump to be right behind him is a hanging leg. Anybody seen better videos? Why don't they call the nostop and twitching feet while coming set and yet call this. I think it's because at that level the stop and twitches are meaningless to a runner but whatever Buehrle did can fool an MLB runner. The first runner was certainley fooled and you woudn't expect that at this level.

[bas2456]

Originally Posted by umpjim

Has Joe called any of KRods games and called a no stop balk? I thought that that lefties can get away with murder so I watch them close but I can't see the balk in the first one but maybe in the second one in the video I pull up. What did Joe see? The 2B ump echoed it quicker than I would expect so what did he see? The only thing I can think of that would get Joe and the 2B ump to be right behind him is a hanging leg. Anybody seen better videos? Why don't they call the nostop and twitching feet while coming set and yet call this. I think it's because at that level the stop and twitches are meaningless to a runner but whatever Buehrle did can fool an MLB runner. The first runner was certainley fooled and you woudn't expect that at this level.

Buehrle has picked quite a few guys off over the years. The first one I thought was much less egrigious (sp?) than the second. I'm not a baseball umpire, but I'm a lefty and I've pitched before. I know of the "45 degree angle" rule (if that even is one), but to me it looked like Buehrle started leaning towards home like he was going to pitch, then threw to first.

Can someone post the relevant rules?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by bas2456

Buehrle has picked quite a few guys off over the years. The first one I thought was much less egrigious (sp?) than the second. I'm not a baseball umpire, but I'm a lefty and I've pitched before. I know of the "45 degree angle" rule (if that even is one), but to me it looked like Buehrle started leaning towards home like he was going to pitch, then threw to first.

Can someone post the relevant rules?

There is no "45 degree" rule. 8.05 requires the pitcher to step and throw to a base, and that's interpreted as stepping more toward the base than the plate. In practice, that amounts to about 45°.

You can find rule 8 (and the other 9 as well) on the mlb site:
Official Rules | MLB.com: Official info

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by mbyron

There is no "45 degree" rule. 8.05 requires the pitcher to step and throw to a base, and that's interpreted as stepping more toward the base than the plate. In practice, that amounts to about 45°.

Well... it amounts to EXACTLY 45 degrees... which is why some (many) call it the 45 degree rule. So ... there kind of is.

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by mbyron

There is no "45 degree" rule. 8.05 requires the pitcher to step and throw to a base, and that's interpreted as stepping more toward the base than the plate. In practice, that amounts to about 45°.

You can find rule 8 (and the other 9 as well) on the mlb site:
Official Rules | MLB.com: Official info

While I know this discussion is primarily base upon OBR, in the FED casebook:

6.2.4 Sitiuation B: With R1 on first, F1 attempts a pickoff while stepping at an angle but to the home plate side. Ruling: Balk. To comply with the requirement to "step directly toward", F1 must step to the first-base side of a 45-degree angle between center of the pitcher's plate and between home and first base.

[tjones1]

I would say both Ozzie and Buehrle will be hearing from MLB regarding their comments.

[TwoBits]

Ozzie, Buehrle ejected for arguing balks | MLB.com: News

I had trouble seeing the reason for the balks. This video focuses more on the ejections than the balks themselves. He looked as to me he was pushing the 45 degree line, but can't tell if he crossed it.

The announcers were entertaining though!

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

Ozzie, Buehrle ejected for arguing balks | MLB.com: News

I had trouble seeing the reason for the balks. This video focuses more on the ejections than the balks themselves. He looked as to me he was pushing the 45 degree line, but can't tell if he crossed it.

The announcers were entertaining though!

The second one was clearer than the first. It's not about the step: F1 clearly moves to home as he steps and throws to 1B. His whole upper body is moving toward the plate.

[SperlingPE]

1. the announcers are ridiculous
2. Guillen doesn't have a leg to stand on. West gave him an opportunity to state his case and then Guillen went back at him.
3. West wasn't showing anyone up. Buerle came at him after the first one and West backed up first but then responded to Buerle.
4. first balk, does movement in the back leg have anything to do with the call. I am a basketball official and baseball fan so educate me.
5. second balk, I agree that Buerle was moving forward before the throw to first.
6. since the runner wasn't fooled (second balk) and considering the level possible act that could be called a balk, do you pass on this? I am a basketball official and would like a fellow arbiter brother in another sport opinion.