I wanted to kick my assignor this weekend

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Julio Caliente

As for mechanics in B I like to stand where i can see the pitcher, R1, and the plate all in my field of view.

You should not concern yourself as to where R1 is. Unless there is a throw to first, it does not matter where R1 is. You will know when he is stealing. You will either hear him running, or you will hear fielders shouting, "he's going!"

You should set up on the imaginary line between the plate and the edge of the pitcher's mound, and be facing the plate directly, with your head turned to watch the pitcher only. Nothing can happen without the baseball, and he is the one holding the baseball. If you are trying to keep one eye on the runner, you are liable to miss a little something called "balks."

After the pitcher is committed to home plate, turn your head toward the plate and track the pitch and be ready to move with whatever play occurs. If the pitcher makes a pickoff move, step forward (they like at least two steps, so I go right-left-pivot) and pivot to face first base.

For pickoffs at 2nd or 3rd, you need only pivot and face the base to make the call, no stepping forward required. But in two-man mechanics, you set up with your body facing home plate from both "B" and "C."

I hope this helps.

[Julio Caliente]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

If you are trying to keep one eye on the runner, you are liable to miss a little something called "balks."

Man, I knew I was missing something

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

For pickoffs at 2nd or 3rd, you need only pivot and face the base to make the call, no stepping forward required. But in two-man mechanics, you set up with your body facing home plate from both "B" and "C."

Sounds about what I do at C

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I hope this helps.

Yes it does. Thank you

[njdevs00cup]

Originally Posted by Julio Caliente

Next game he is the BU, R2 and the F1 picks up and turns on his pivot foot to pick to 2nd; however, he didn't make it around and his foot landed point towards F5. I call a balk and so does he. I think sweet, maybe he may know something after all. Nope, I was wrong. I called a balk because he didn't step anywhere near towards second and it was blatantly obvious from the plate. BU starts to tell the pitcher that once he picks up he has to go to the plate. I stop him before says another word and tell the pitcher that when he picks to a base he must step towards that base. BU says in between innings "I thought you could only spin when you pick at 2nd base."

I've never seen a balk to 2B!

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

I've never seen a balk to 2B!

I have. must type something else

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

I have. must type something else

Details, please.

[umpduck11]

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

I've never seen a balk to 2B!

I believe the balk was called for stepping toward third rather than directly toward the base to which F1 threw. That is not balking to second.

[DG]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Julio, what Garth is beating around the bush to say is that the proper position in "B" is facing home plate, and when there is a pickoff you step forward and pivot on your left foot, swinging your right foot around and squaring up to the base. You are not supposed to just "turn your head."

I was told at a camp this year that they are now teaching a direct step toward 1B with the left foot and bring the right foot around to square up. What you described is what I learned also.

[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by DG

I was told at a camp this year that they are now teaching a direct step toward 1B with the left foot and bring the right foot around to square up. What you described is what I learned also.

"They" need to get on the same page. I was told at a clinic this year to take the first step straight in toward the plate and pivot.

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by DG

I was told at a camp this year that they are now teaching a direct step toward 1B with the left foot and bring the right foot around to square up. What you described is what I learned also.

That would be a direct step with left foot toward the 45' line, then bring the right foot up to square.

A direct step toward 1B does nothing except placing BU 3' closer on a bad angle. It would be better to take a step forward then turn.

[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by socalblue1

That would be a direct step with left foot toward the 45' line, then bring the right foot up to square.

Actually, this may be more correct (rather more in line with what I was told).

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by ManInBlue

Actually, this may be more correct (rather more in line with what I was told).

I have bruises on the back of my head to prove it! (Downfall to knowing the Evans instructors too well ). At least they didn't break out the clown shoes ...

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Details, please.

Surely.

Had a RHP pitcher in the windup with R2 and R3. Started his windup, realized he R2 was dancing way off the bag as the pitcher began his windup. F1 brought his non-pivot backwards and forwards legally, held the foot up, then turned and feigned to 2nd base.

6.2 in FED has this as a balk.

[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Surely.

Had a RHP pitcher in the windup with R2 and R3. Started his windup, realized he R2 was dancing way off the bag as the pitcher began his windup. F1 brought his non-pivot backwards and forwards legally, held the foot up, then turned and feigned to 2nd base.

6.2 in FED has this as a balk.

Yep - in FED you have to disengage the rubber before you can throw to a base from the wind up.

I'd probably balk him in OBR, too - it looks too much like his preliminary motion to the plate.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Surely.

Had a RHP pitcher in the windup with R2 and R3. Started his windup, realized he R2 was dancing way off the bag as the pitcher began his windup. F1 brought his non-pivot backwards and forwards legally, held the foot up, then turned and feigned to 2nd base.

6.2 in FED has this as a balk.

That's a balk for throwing to a base from the windup, not a balk to second.

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by GarthB

That's a balk for throwing to a base from the windup, not a balk to second.

Its a balk because he threw to second instead of where he was committed, which was home. Can we say we're both right?

Don't know why so many people on this board have their engines misfire over such small trivial matters. We both are calling this a balk, for the same reason, so what is the problem?