Balk on an appeal

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

Great point Ozzy! Although the runner was on, he took the rubber from the stretch position to appeal. The pitcher wasn't sure about the entire appeal process and the coach did not directly ask BU for an appeal. We've been told by our assignor not to coach a player or coach through the appeal process.

Okay, FED rules, F1 on the rubber in the set with his hands together. You put the ball in play. F1 is confused but not making any movement to the plate, listens to his coach and steps off (properly).

This is not a balk. Had he delivered to the batter, it would technically be a balk under FED if he didn't stop all motion beforehand. Once he stepped off, F1 was okay.

Your assigner is absolutely correct in what he told you. You are an umpire not a coach. Now, if the coach comes to you and asks how to do an appeal, you can advise him but not the players. Take this information from your assigner throughout your umpiring career and it will alleviate many problems that amateur umpires run into.

Regards

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

Tim,

When I spoke to the BU, he said he balked him because he stepped onto the rubber with his hands in the set position (the main reason I posted this was because when the pitcher did this, the ball was dead). When I put the ball in play, he cited the fact that the pitcher must come set on the rubber. He was watching this closely, because as soon as I pointed to put the ball in play, he called out, "that's a balk!" Like I said, I have never seen this before!

Oh, my God.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Oh, my God.

Yup. How wrong was the BU - let me count up the ways.

Don't put the ball in play if the pitcher was in the set position with his hands together. Make him start properly -- it's a "don't do that."

Once it's clear they want to appeal in a FED game, don't even make the ball live. Once they make it clear they're going to throw over, figure out a way to rule on the appeal with the dead ball as the rules allow.

[UmpLarryJohnson]

yes in a FED game i just ASK the coach 'what do you wanna appeal?' and rule on it (if its a DEAD ball). FED lets ANY body appeal ANY thing so why not just get it over with?

it should be almost a CRIME to balk a Pitch in FED ball on a appeal. thats OOO x 10