Asked on another forum

[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 johnnyg08

if we were on the field, I'm sure we'd agree on much of what's being talked about here.

Certanly not if he called a balk to second.

[Tim C]

Let's make this easy.

Place a rujnner at second base ONLY.

Now, please you give me an example of a balk to second base.

Tick, tick, tick . . .

Regards,

[DG]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Let's make this easy.

Place a runner at second base ONLY.

Now, please you give me an example of a balk to second base.

Tick, tick, tick . . .

Regards,

I am not defending Big Guy, just commenting on the question.

RHP initiates the stretch and comes set, and without moving his feet separates his right hand from the glove and makes a throw to F4 covering at 2B.

I have never seen it, but it would be a balk and the only balk I can think of to second base.

[Dave Hensley]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Let's make this easy.

Place a rujnner at second base ONLY.

Now, please you give me an example of a balk to second base.

Tick, tick, tick . . .

Regards,

Wrong setup. Instead, place runners at 1B and 3B. The pitcher comes set, pivots and steps directly towards 2B.

He just balked, the rule is 8.05(d), and "he balked to 2B" is a completely accurate description of that play, as most English speaking people use and comprehend words.

[Tim C]

I think the example I gave above is at least somewhat along your lines.

The play as you descibed is not a balk to second base. It is a balk for failing to complete the pitch to the plate. As soon as you separated and did not pitch I call "Balk" (in FED) and penalize from there. I do not care where the ball went.

Regards,

[DG]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I think the example I gave above is at least somewhat along your lines.

The play as you descibed is not a balk to second base. It is a balk for failing to complete the pitch to the plate. As soon as you separated and did not pitch I call "Balk" (in FED) and penalize from there. I do not care where the ball went.

Regards,

I think it would be a balk for failing to step directly to the base you are throwing to for a pickoff. It is impossible to throw the ball to any base without separating your hands, thus separating your hands for the purpose of a pickoff is not a balk.

With your logic there are no balks to any base, the pitcher did something wrong and it doesn't matter where the ball went.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Some people are just in love with the saying, "IIITBTSB."

[Tim C]

And some people are just in love with saying "I could have been a major league umpire."

Frankly I'll stick with IIITBTSB.

Regards,