Correct FED balk mechanic?

[ManInBlue]

Just like an INT at 2B on a FPSR, the "proper" mechanic would be to call time first - now everyone knows that nothing else can happen. Then point and call the balk and award. It would be "Time, that's a balk, you second base"

No I'm not using the FED manual. I'm basing this on NCAA clinics' (edit) proper mechanic for an immediate dead ball (like FPSR) and applying that same process here.

does it matter which way - not really. But I would think to be "proper" you should call time first.

Yes we can get into a habit of throwing our hands up and that will cause a doo-doo storm in an OBR sitch. That's what pre-game's for - go over the simple stuff and make sure we are thinking clearly and correctly. Then when there's a balk, we would point and let the play happen - avoiding the doo-doo on the fan.

Just my $.02 - that and a subway token wouldn't get you from Grand Central to Shey, but there it is.

[DG]

Originally Posted by ManInBlue

Just like an INT at 2B on a FPSR, the "proper" mechanic would be to call time first - now everyone knows that nothing else can happen. Then point and call the balk and award. It would be "Time, that's a balk, you second base"

No I'm not using the FED manual. I'm basing this on NCAA clinics and applying that same process here.

Interesting that an NCAA clinic would tell you to call TIME, THAT's A BALK, since it is not immediate dead ball in NCAA, it's like OBR. FED is the one that is different.

The proper mechanic, for all levels, is THAT's A BALK. For FED this means time is called, for NCAA and OBR it is delayed dead, depending on what happens with the pitch, if one is delivered.

[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by DG

Interesting that an NCAA clinic would tell you to call TIME, THAT's A BALK, since it is not immediate dead ball in NCAA, it's like OBR. FED is the one that is different.

The proper mechanic, for all levels, is THAT's A BALK. For FED this means time is called, for NCAA and OBR it is delayed dead, depending on what happens with the pitch, if one is delivered.

I apologize if that's the way it sounded. I was using the FPSR application from the clinic and moving it over into a similar immediate dead ball situation. I did not mean to imply that at the clinic they taught us to call time on the balk. That was not my intent.

I meant that we were told to call time first on the FPSR then relay the "foul." It would be the same in FED with the balk.

[DG]

Originally Posted by ManInBlue

I apologize if that's the way it sounded. I was using the FPSR application from the clinic and moving it over into a similar immediate dead ball situation. I did not mean to imply that at the clinic they taught us to call time on the balk. That was not my intent.

I meant that we were told to call time first on the FPSR then relay the "foul." It would be the same in FED with the balk.

FED mechanic, like all others, is to call the balk, calling TIME is not needed.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by ManInBlue

It would be "Time, that's a balk, you second base"

No I'm not using the FED manual. I'm basing this on NCAA clinics and applying that same process here.

Get your money back.

[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Get your money back.

I see your point - but you didn't quote all of it - and that's not what I said, not what I meant to say anyway.

I started the post with a comment on the FPSR - it is an immediate dead ball - the proper mechanic is (as we were told) "(hands up) Time, (pointing) that's interference, out at second, out at first" - Translate that into a FED balk - kill it first

But thanks for misquoting and thanks for the advice.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by ManInBlue

I see your point - but you didn't quote all of it - and that's not what I said, not what I meant to say anyway.

I started the post with a comment on the FPSR - it is an immediate dead ball - the proper mechanic is (as we were told) "(hands up) Time, (pointing) that's interference, out at second, out at first" - Translate that into a FED balk - kill it first

But thanks for misquoting and thanks for the advice.

No, I didn't misquote. I copied and pasted your words. Edit? Sure.

Not being I mind reader, I didn't know what you meant, only what you said.

[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

No, I didn't misquote. I copied and pasted your words. Edit? Sure.

Not being I mind reader, I didn't know what you meant, only what you said.

I apologized for it being poorly written. And I understand how it could be (was) misread. Yes those were my words and they were taken out of context - changed the meaning completely.

It's over and it's been clarified. - original post edited for clarity.

Originally Posted by DG

FED mechanic, like all others, is to call the balk, calling TIME is not needed.

You'll have to ding me on the eval. I'm calling TIME first. It leaves no doubt that nothing else can happen. Not everyone knows the rules as well as we do - remove the question up front.

I agree to disagree on the definition of "proper."

[mbyron]

FED has changed their umpire manual since the last time I looked at it.

Page 31, "Game Situations":

16) BALKS. The umpire calling the balk shall point to the pitcher and call loudly, "That's a balk!" The ball is dead at the time of the balk. Umpires should signal a dead ball while calling out, "That's a balk!"

That's the entire FED mechanic for balks.

That's different from OBR mechanic, at least the one that Jim Evans taught me. According to pro instruction, the umpire is to call out the balk when it occurs. Then let play continue until playing action has stopped. Then call time and, if necessary, enforce the balk.

Calling time is an essential part of the OBR mechanic, since the ball is not dead immediately upon the balk.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by mbyron

16) BALKS. The umpire calling the balk shall point to the pitcher and call loudly, "That's a balk!"

Umpires should signal a dead ball while calling out, "That's a balk!"
.