MLB Differences?

[JJ]

Watching the Phillies tonight I noticed one of the batters with his back foot not just on the back line of the box, but clearly OUT of the box, before the pitch was thrown.

Does MLB just figure this isn't a booger worth picking, and if so, why even have the lines?

They do the same thing with pitchers working out of the stretch not stopping. I don't ever - EVER - remember a MLB pitcher being called for running through a stop.

Are all of these little exceptions in some secret little MLB umpire's handbook, or are they just verbally dictated by supervisors, or what?

To me, this addresses the integrity of the game. Why have rules if they are not being enforced?

Oh, but make sure those base coaches have helmets...yeah, THAT'S a rule that needs to be enforced!

JJ

Can you tell it's the off season already and the long, long winter is setting in?
Sigh...thanks for letting me vent a little...

[SethPDX]

A former pro umpire once posted something to the effect of, "We don't care where the batter's feet are until he hits the ball." Yes, that would be picking boogers.

If a relief pitcher is not stopping with the bases empty nobody cares. I don't recall MLB umpires letting them do it with runners on.

Professional umpires don't have to be told what to pay attention to by their supervisors or a double secret umpire's manual. They just practice good, common sense umpiring.

[Welpe]

I have seen plenty of balks for failing to stop. I saw two this year at Giant games in fact.

[justanotherblue]

OK, so you saw a balk or two not called. Were they in a balk situation. Remember also, in OBR, what FEd considers a balk, OBR may not. I.E. non-stop with no runners on. If there is no advantage for or against a team, it won't be called, hence a balk situation. It has to be blantent enough for Grandma to see from the top deck to be called.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by JJ

They do the same thing with pitchers working out of the stretch not stopping. I don't ever - EVER - remember a MLB pitcher being called for running through a stop.

Are all of these little exceptions in some secret little MLB umpire's handbook, or are they just verbally dictated by supervisors, or what?

Actually, this one can be found right there in the rule book:

Rule 8.01(b) Comment: With no runners on base, the pitcher is not required to come to a complete stop when using the Set Position. If, however, in the umpire’s judgment, a pitcher delivers the ball in a deliberate effort to catch the batter off guard, this delivery shall be deemed a quick pitch, for which the penalty is a ball. See Rule 8.05(e) Comment.

This was one of the rule changes of a couple years back.

You will, of course, still see balks for pitchers not stopping in the set position with runners on base. I've never seen these ignored.

[Pensaump]

I have seen right handed pitchers not stop several times in the Major Leagues with a runner on first.

Everything else about their body is stopped and still, except that their hands just come and bounce before they pitch.

I know the base stealer's trying to get their lead can see the pitcher isn't stopping with their x-ray vision looking through his back.

Know what I'm saying.....?

I think this is the philosophy about not calling it. But who knows!

[JJ]

I, too, have seen many MLB pitchers run through stops with runners on base. Running through with no runners isn't a balk - not on any level - but that wasn't the thrust of my post.
Watch the rest of the playoffs and see how many righties run through with runners on any or all bases.

JJ

[JR12]

I thought any part of the foot, touching any part of the line is considered "in the box"

[JJ]

I was talking about the back foot being completely out of the box.

Also, the foot may be ON the line, but no part of it may be OUTSIDE of the line when the batter takes his position (MLB Rules 6.03). This part is loosely adhered to, and is not what I was concerned with.

JJ

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by JR12

I thought any part of the foot, touching any part of the line is considered "in the box"

That's true when the batter hits the ball.

When taking his stance, he's supposed to be entirely in the box (no part of the foot outside the box).

[PeteBooth]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by JJ

Why have rules if they are not being enforced?

One thing to remember The GAME is for the Participants.

Concerning Balks. About 10 yrs ago or so there was a memorandum issued to the umpires I believe in Spring Training of that year to start calling Balks more in line with the "book definition"

As a result there were more balks called in 1/2 that year then in all of the previous year. The Players Union reacted and things went "back to normal"

If EVERYONE wants the game called a certian way then you are NOT jeopardizing the integrity of the game because it's the SAME for both teams.
A good example is the "neighborhood play" which has been accepted throughout the history of baseball.

Jeopardizing the integrity of the game means you call it ONE way for ONE Team and DIFFERENT for another.

Pete Booth

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

Concerning Balks. About 10 yrs ago or so there was a memorandum issued to the umpires I believe in Spring Training of that year to start calling Balks more in line with the "book definition"

As a result there were more balks called in 1/2 that year then in all of the previous year. The Players Union reacted and things went "back to normal"

That would be the infamous balk year of 1988. It was Bob Davidson's favorite year.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

Watching Tim McClelland is like looking in a mirror. He's the man.

Buddy, really?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Tyler, now I really feel sorry for you. And your mirror.

[piaa_ump]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Buddy, really?

It just aint the same without the 'stache....

Im just jealous.............of a guy who could work the knee in the pros.....I couldnt work the knee in a LL game.....