Balkin Bob?

[PeteBooth]

The second balk was obvious and a "no brainer". In watching the game it seemed as if all the umpires were calling balk.

The first one i cannot figure out. Also, it seems as if ONLY Bob Davidson saw the balk because none of the other umpires "blinked"

As far as making a "gutsy" call IMO I do not think the last call was "gutsy" even though the game was on the line. I think most who saw the game called balk at almost the same time the umpires did. Every-one knew that Benitez balked.

I would not have called the first balk. Granted I didn't have my eyes GLUED to F1 but the balk was "petty" at best and IMO should not have been called.

The last one - No problem. The first one as the title of your thread indicates is Balkin Bob

BTW he had another call that went against LaDuca where he rang up a strike on a questionable check swing. So besides the balk Davidson also contributed in "other" ways.

Pete Booth

[lawump]

Ok...I'll admit it. Last night when I was watching while half asleep, I thought for sure Bob had the 1st balk call correct. I've watched it 10 times today at ESPN.com...and I just don't see a balk. That's my two cents.

[_Bruno_]

hi,
for me as a new umpire, its not that obvious, that flinching his shoulder has to be called a balk, if he is not in set position. could anybody of you explain me, why this has to be called a balk (not in set position) and which rule is enforced.

regards
bruno

[GarthB]

First balk...started and stopped. Maybe more subtle than Froemming would call, but a violation nevertheless.