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[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Justanotherblue wrote:

"It's often thought that one can't balk to second base. Well, you can, . . ."

It Is Impossible To Balk TO Second Base.

If this is an English/writing lesson, you're probably correct...

[Tim C]

No Johnny, my statement is based on the rules of baseball as played in the United States of America.

Even Jim Evans agrees with my basic statement.

Regards,

[justanotherblue]

Originally Posted by Tim C

No Johnny, my statement is based on the rules of baseball as played in the United States of America.

Even Jim Evans agrees with my basic statement.

Regards,

Not according to what he says in his balk video. I thought that was based on the rules of baseball.

[johnnyg08]

That's the video I've watched several times...that's where I'm now confused!

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by justanotherblue

Not according to what he says in his balk video. I thought that was based on the rules of baseball.

That was made years before he met Tee.

I was a witness and interested bystander during the coonversation Tee and Jim had in Portland. Jim agreed with Tee's literal assessment, but explained that in common practice he would continue referring to some balks as balks to second, because "that's what they look like to the average fan, coach, player and umpire." Then he actually gave an example of how Tee was correct... a balk when a pitcher attempted to throw to second but was actually a balk to home.

[justanotherblue]

You know, that's the best thing about this place. Sarcasim, baseball and an english lesson all in one!

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by justanotherblue

You know, that's the best thing about this place. Sarcasim, baseball and an english lesson all in one!

You need to capitalize "english".

Originally Posted by Tim C

Justanotherblue wrote:

"It's often thought that one can't balk to second base. Well, you can, . . ."

It Is Impossible To Balk TO Second Base.

It IS possible to balk to second base. Committing a balk with a runner on first is balking a player TO 2B. It's a matter of separating the noun from the verb. They are not interchangeable. "To" balk means to commit a pitching infraction. "A" balk is the pitching infraction itself. So "to balk to second" means committing a balk that sends a runner to second.

Is it nit-picking, most certainly yes - however, you raised the issue.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by BigGuy

It IS possible to balk to second base. Committing a balk with a runner on first is balking a player TO 2B. It's a matter of separating the noun from the verb. They are not interchangeable. "To" balk means to commit a pitching infraction. "A" balk is the pitching infraction itself. So "to balk to second" means committing a balk that sends a runner to second.

Is it nit-picking, most certainly yes - however, you raised the issue.

Wrong. Runners don't balk. Pitchers balk. Runners advance to second base.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by BigGuy

It IS possible to balk to second base. Committing a balk with a runner on first is balking a player TO 2B. It's a matter of separating the noun from the verb. They are not interchangeable. "To" balk means to commit a pitching infraction. "A" balk is the pitching infraction itself. So "to balk to second" means committing a balk that sends a runner to second.

Is it nit-picking, most certainly yes - however, you raised the issue.

Using your twisted logic of language...what would a "balk to first" be? I've never seen a balk that sent a runner to first. But, then, the sky is blue in my world. What color is it in yours?

Originally Posted by GarthB

Using your twisted logic of language...what would a "balk to first" be? I've never seen a balk that sent a runner to first. But, then, the sky is blue in my world. What color is it in yours?

There isn't by definition because the balk rule doesn't apply to batters - only runners. You could have a balk to second, third or home.

Look at my twisted logic on this one. Try the term WALK.

F1 gives up a WALK - Noun, Base on balls
F1 WALKS in the winning run. Walks in this case refers to the action of giving a base on balls and forcing the winning run in from 3B.

Same thing, different word - balk

F1 commits a Balk -noun
F1 balks R1 TO second. The action of pitcher forces R1 to move to 2B, therefore it is a balk to 2B.

You could use bunt as an example as well. B1 bunted R1 TO 2B.

If you want to know where my twisted logic comes from - I'm a chemical engineer whose 29-year career is based on thinking with logic. And like I said, I'm not the one who raised the issue.

Just ask a good accountant "what's one and one" and the accountant says "whatever you want it to be". Is it realistic - no. But it is perception. What Tim C thinks in his post is an absolute - you can't balk TO 2B. My logic says you can and I proved it, despite the fact that that was maybe not what he intended. I read his statement literally since there were no qualifiers and responded accordingly.

[johnnyg08]

You people spend too much time arguing semantics...if only we were as good at umpiring as we were at critiquing other people's sentences...we'd all be in the bigs...if we were on the field, I'm sure we'd agree on much of what's being talked about here. (Well, maybe not) :-)

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by BigGuy

If you want to know where my twisted logic comes from - I'm a chemical engineer

That explains your ideas of English.

Balk to first. Let's stay consistent with usage Mr. Logic.