Correct FED balk mechanic?

[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!"
.

[eagle_12]

I was told by an clinician that in either case of the ball staying live (OBR,NCAA) or being dead (FED) that sometimes calling the balk a little louder goes a long way. He said that he had two reasons for it.

1. By being authoratative on the call, you show that you are 100% sure you saw a balk and it truly was a balk. You wouldn't have a weak call that may seem like you are unsure.

2. It tends to startle to pitcher to where he won't throw the pitch, or everyone freezes and then you can easily make your awards.

The downside is though in OBR where the ball is still in play, you could potentially harm the offense.

In my experiences everyone has just "frozen" no matter what level except for just one time. The pitcher balked in his throw to first base and overthrew the ball down the RF line. The ball is still live and the runner circled the bases. This is the only time when both teams didn't just stop playing, but the reason was the coach of the offensive team was also an umpire