That's a balk (video)

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by ManInBlue

... He tried it again, and I balked him. Of course he went ballistic saying that I can't call that in a two man, I can't see it. His foot was not far from where he landed when going home - it was rather obviuos.

The fact that the pitcher is telling you what you can and can't see in a "two man" indicates that he is violating the rule and is relying on the "fact" that it can't be verified. A silly argument.

Do you do college ball, David? If so, are you a member of the Memphis org?

I've only called a few college games in my "career" - all of which were junior colleges. No big time teams. I don't have the time for that. Too much traveling. My real job precludes that kind of commitment.

Most of my experience is at the high school varsity level. And, quite frankly, the better high school teams in this area could have easily defeated the junior college teams that I saw.

This area is a hotbed of high school baseball talent. The state champion usually comes from the west Tennessee area and many of the players get Div I scholarships to big schools, some of whom are drafted directly into professional baseball. Baseball talent here is more recognized than football, which is rather atypical for the south.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

This area is a hotbed of high school baseball talent.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

Yes it is - and you've actually understated it. It is a hotbed (still understated) of baseball talent at all ages. It's amazing the number of teams from Memphis that have a lot of talent on them.

[canadaump6]

Watch the "See a Balk, Call a Balk" video if you are unsure about the balk rule. I learned almost everything I know about balks from this tape. It's great to have a visual reference to back up the calls I make. This video provides that visual reference.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Watch the "See a Balk, Call a Balk" video if you are unsure about the balk rule. I learned almost everything I know about balks from this tape. It's great to have a visual reference to back up the calls I make. This video provides that visual reference.

You should consider throwing that video in the trash and buying the Evans DVD on balks.


Balk Video


Tim.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Watch the "See a Balk, Call a Balk" video if you are unsure about the balk rule. I learned almost everything I know about balks from this tape.

This explains a lot.

That video is probably the worst one out there. There is some content that is completely contrary to ML interpretation. I'm amazed it's still sold. I'm more amazed that anyone still buys it.

[canadaump6]

Originally Posted by GarthB

This explains a lot.

That video is probably the worst one out there. There is some content that is completely contrary to ML interpretation. I'm amazed it's still sold. I'm more amazed that anyone still buys it.

Can you please explain to me what interpretations the video gets wrong? Nobody in my association has ever questioned it.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Can you please explain to me what interpretations the video gets wrong?

Off the top of my head....check out Dodgeball ref's explanation of when a pitcher is considered throwing to an empty base.

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Nobody in my association has ever questioned it.

I have no doubt that's true.

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Off the top of my head....check out Dodgeball ref's explanation of when a pitcher is considered throwing to an empty base.

Hey, Dodgeball was a good movie!!

I never knew Al Kaplon was the ref until you pointed that out! He looks totally different in Dodgeball than in the movie i own (his 90' mechanics video, which is much better quality than his balk video).


Also, to add an incorrect interp, off the top of my head, he says the "bounce" is considered a legal stop in NCAA ball- FALSE!!

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Can you please explain to me what interpretations the video gets wrong? Nobody in my association has ever questioned it.

This reminds me of the time when, at one our mandatory, preseason umpire meetings, when a DVD series was played regarding the rules. It was completely based on OBR rules. Even the rule reference numbers were of the OBR variety. This is for high school baseball!

Of course, much of it applied, but some of it absolutely did not apply - especially in the area of balks.

It also claimed that stepping on the plate, when hitting a pitched ball, was not a violation unless the entire foot is out of the batter's box when contact is made. That is true under OBR. Untrue under FED.

I looked around the room and everybody was watching the video as if nothing was wrong.

I felt like standing up a screaming, "Do you guys realize this is a video on the wrong set of rules????"

I just shook my head. It was typical. The meetings are supposed to be instructional and are completely useless. In fact, a lot of negative training gets done. We have a horrible organization. It's just a good ole boy network where all the guys who have been around forever listen to themselves talk and tell war stories.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

This reminds me of the time when, at one our mandatory, preseason umpire meetings, when a DVD series was played regarding the rules. It was completely based on OBR rules. Even the rule reference numbers were of the OBR variety. This is for high school baseball!

Of course, much of it applied, but some of it absolutely did not apply - especially in the area of balks.

It also claimed that stepping on the plate, when hitting a pitched ball, was not a violation unless the entire foot is out of the batter's box when contact is made. That is true under OBR. Untrue under FED.

I looked around the room and everybody was watching the video as if nothing was wrong.

I felt like standing up a screaming, "Do you guys realize this is a video on the wrong set of rules????"

I just shook my head. It was typical. The meetings are supposed to be instructional and are completely useless. In fact, a lot of negative training gets done. We have a horrible organization. It's just a good ole boy network where all the guys who have been around forever listen to themselves talk and tell war stories.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

Do you get your tests for the THSSAA (sp) handed to you prior to test day and get to take the test with no time limits, an open book and any notes you want?

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Can you please explain to me what interpretations the video gets wrong? Nobody in my association has ever questioned it.

This is dangerous territory for you, Young Man. Ump orgs are full of witless doofi, especially the aged officers and management, and they have no real desire to upset their gravy train of money, power and influence.

You start spouting off the actual, obvious and real problems and you'll get banned. Wait, I got banned here.

Point being, learn all you can, become as good as you can, expect that this may not work in your favor. Sadly.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Watch the "See a Balk, Call a Balk" video if you are unsure about the balk rule. I learned almost everything I know about balks from this tape. It's great to have a visual reference to back up the calls I make. This video provides that visual reference.

That video is to balks what porn is to "Apocolypse Now", trash to greatness.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

This area is a hotbed of high school baseball talent. The state champion usually comes from the west Tennessee area and many of the players get Div I scholarships to big schools, some of whom are drafted directly into professional baseball. Baseball talent here is more recognized than football, which is rather atypical for the south.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

You got climate issues in ETenn for baseball, you have UT football and baseball doesn't conflict seasonally with basketball in the Delta. And MSU football blows so no competition there.

WTenn feeds in EArk, NMiss players. The Tigers (yeah, I do my homework) are a big part of that.

Don't ask about my experiences with Bill Speros, McCarver, the Gaglianos, Mike Roos, ppl here call me names and yell at me, it hertz my feelings.

[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by fitump56

The Tigers (yeah, I do my homework) are a big part of that.

Don't ask about my experiences with Bill Speros, McCarver, the Gaglianos, Mike Roos, ppl here call me names and yell at me, it hertz my feelings.

Which Tigers are you talking about? The UM Tigers or the Memphis Tigers?

I run into those guys you mentioned all the time.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by ManInBlue

Which Tigers are you talking about? The UM Tigers or the Memphis Tigers?

I run into those guys you mentioned all the time.

Memphis, David is or was a Coach, my Boss as well. We called a bunch of their games, Tobey Field, Southhaven Ms, various parks. Boss' sons payed for them. I wonder if they still have those Godawful yellow/green uniforms