Thats a Balk - by the numbers

[tballump]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

What if you think you saw it, but can't be sure? I'm thinking about something that may happen in the corner of your eye or just out of your vision (perhaps a front side balk that your pard' may have missed from behind the plate). Just askin'

Answer

Am I going to get balks that I am 80% certain about? Heck no. Only 100% to quote you earlier.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

If I make 3 80% balk calls over the course of a week, I have a pretty low chance of getting them all right.

Tuss,

If I follow your logic, you would actually have a better than 50% chance. Do the math!

Baseball, most of are calls, there has to be a call (ball/strike, safe/out, fair/foul). Things like balks, OBS, INT, we make either a call or a no call, very similar to basketball. Basketball guys will tell you, only call what you know you have.

I believe the analogy is inapt for the point you are trying to make. The basketball principles you allude to primarily have to do with officiating contact in basketball games. While there is often (but not always) contact in interference and obstruction sitches in baseball, the underlying rules - and principles of application - are very different between the two sports.

And balks don't have much to do with contact at all. Balks are more like basket interference or traveling or backcourt violations in basketball. You have to know the rules and apply them to what you see. Advantage/disadvantage doesn't enter into it.

Its not a trust issue, its an understanding of yourself and the limitations that surround you on the field.

To me, it's a "trust in yourself" issue. I believe that balks are generally "undercalled". Primarily, because the umpires don't have confidence in their understanding of the balk rules and/or the presence to call it when they see it.

I have found this to be one of the more challenging aspects of learning how to umpire for myself. It's still an area of focus on improvement for me. I don't believe I've ever called a balk that "wasn't", but I know I've seen definite balks that I did not call. I am dissatisfied with myself when that happens, and it happens less than it used to.

Dissent within balk philosophy isn't anything new, I don't suspect we'll clean it up in this thread.

There are certainly a lot of different philosophies on calling balks. Personally, I subscribe to the one that says balks are "level dependent" - I would use different criteria to rule on whether or not a pitcher had balked in a 13U game than I would in a HS game - but the rule would be the same.

Anything above HS Frosh that I work, the expectation is that balks will be called. So, I try to call them when I see 'em. "80%" is sure enough for me.

Unfortunately, a lot of umpires use "balk philosophy" as an excuse for not understanding and properly officiating the balk regulations. And the coaches!?!? I can't believe some of the stuff I hear!

Anyway, try calling some more balks (only if you see 'em, of course). It's fun!

JMO.

JM

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

From the OP:

9. after a feint or throw to a base from the rubber, fails to disengage
the rubber before reengaging and pitching;

And your point is?


Tim.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

And your point is?


Tim.

Your statement of "9. Does not step to a base in throwing (or feinting a throw) to such base" which you offered as an answer does not necessarily equal the OP statement of the OP, "9. after a feint or throw to a base from the rubber, fails to disengage the rubber before reengaging and pitching", which is what was being questioned.

That's all. Nothing important.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Your statement of "9. Does not step to a base in throwing (or feinting a throw) to such base" which you offered as an answer does not necessarily equal the OP statement of the OP, "9. after a feint or throw to a base from the rubber, fails to disengage the rubber before reengaging and pitching", which is what was being questioned.

That's all. Nothing important.

I see what you mean. Good catch. Although, I have to say that I've yet to see a pitcher feint or throw to a base without their pivot foot disengaging the rubber.

Tim.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by Blue37

Guys, can you help me with this one? I got the books out when I got home and must be overlooking something, 'cause I could not find it. In 26 years I have never seen anyone call this or complain when it was not called.

Consider it a quick "return" effort to prevent a runner from establishing a lead prior to a pitch. Suppose a pitcher would feint to force the runner to return to base. Then the pitcher would set up quickly, "count" and fire home before the runner could re-establish his lead. That's a balk.

Disclaimer: Applied "disengage" rule to demonstrate requirement. I took liberty with similar rules covering "different" balk situations. I could be wrong here.