Balks

[ozzy6900]

• Verbalizing the call. Call it the same as OBR or NCAA "That's a balk!" except in FED ball, add "TIME" afterward. Reason being most amateur umpires operate in different rule sets through the course of the year. It is easier to just drop the "TIME" command than it is to change the entire mechanic.

• Calling the balk. I don't know where you get the idea in OBR or NCAA that it is any different. Any umpire may call the balk in any rule set and the umpire that called the balk explains it to the coach if there is a question. And it better be in the form of a question and not a complaint especially on a step-balk!

• Deception is part of the game. A pitcher's job is to deceive the runner whenever possible, as long as he does it legally. You wouldn't balk a pitcher because he varies his delivery time, would you? That is one of the easiest way to deceive a runner - by freezing him in the base line. You really need to re-think this whole deception thing before you start trying to instruct others.

Balks are simply an error in mechanics, or a violation of the rules of pitching (depending on the rules you are playing under). An example of a mechanical balk is a pitcher not setting properly with runners on. Many young pitchers are in a rush to deliver the ball and commit this mechanical balk all the time. A rule violation would be faking a throw to first base while in contact with the rubber. These are just examples but the list goes on and on. I do agree that balks are like pornography - I know it when I see it but I usually don't see it until the blind guy in the 15th row hollers "Hey, isn't that a balk?!?"

Regards