Would you have called a balk?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately that doesn't agree with the rulebook.

From the BRD:

SIGN TAKEN OFF PITCHER'S PLATE

FED: The pitcher must take his sign from the "catcher" while on the pitcher's plate. (6-1-1) PENALTY: Ball (no runners), Balk (with runners). (6-1-1 Penalty)

NCAA: Same as FED. EXCEPT PENALTY: Ball. (7-5d) If the batter and all runners advance following a pitch from the illegal position (pivot foot not on the pitcher's plate), ignore the infraction. (9-2j Penalty).

OBR: The pitcher must take his sign while on the pitcher's plate. Penalty: None listed. (don't do that)

[SanDiegoSteve]

And no, I've never called it a balk either.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

The BRD also states that you cannot have coaches interference on a dead ball. I suppose if a base runner misses third or first on his way around the bases and the coach grabs him and throws him back to the base, the defense will not complain if they see the infraction and lose their right to appeal.

What does one have to do with the other?


Tim.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

That the BRD is not the final say on all rule interpretations. It is a source of research that bring different interps together and only one person's opinion. You said the coach was fishing for a balk call after you balked his pitcher earlier. It sounds like you were fishing for an attaboy for not calling a balk that you are arguing vehemently is a balk, technically speaking. You will get in more trouble calling balks than you will for not calling them.

I guarantee if you ever call this in a game you will be picking more nits than a father-son spider monkey team that knows a National Geographic film crew is following them.

What I was debating was you telling me that it's not technically a balk when in fact it is. I e-mailed a friend who has served in passed years on the NFHS rules committee and as an advisor to Elliot Hopkins. He's assured me that the NFHS does consider this a balk. Enforcement is another matter as some will call it while others will not. I was just curious to see what others here felt about it. I don't let worrying about "trouble", as you put it, dictate what calls I make. I am, however, concerned that I call my games using an accepted standard where common sense and fair play are at a premium.


Tim.