Balk or Strike on the batter?? How would you call it??

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by jc4

Runners on 1st and 2nd. Pitcher in the stretch. Batter and catcher in their designated boxes. Umpire says play.
Pitcher comes set, looks back at runner on 2nd, while pitcher looking back, batter steps out of batter's box without requesting time, no time called by PU. Pitcher starts delivery home, but does not deliver pitch..........

How would you call it??

Time. No pitch. Start anew.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Batter can't cause a balk. It's an offensive ploy that goes unrewarded.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Johnny, I was posting mine at the same time, but the message is the same.

[zm1283]

I saw something like this happen in a district game a couple of years ago. R3, pitcher comes set, batter calls time and starts to step out. The umpire stands up and starts to put his hands up, then drops them, never saying anything. The pitcher had started his motion, but seeing all of this he stops. Umpire balks pitcher which sends the run home.

[FTVMartin]

Poor umpiring. When in doubt kill the play. The offense can never cause a balk.

[midtnblu]

No balk, kill it if pitcher stops, if he delivers get a strike.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by FTVMartin

The offense can never cause a balk.

I actually had a coach come to me a few years back and asked me if "that was a new rule or something?" in reference to this exact type of play. I did not call a balk on the pitcher...coach must have had a few balks called on this type of play or something. (the defensive coach nicely came over between innings and asked me why I didn't call a balk on that play)

[jc4]

I missed it. I called balk. After discussing with partner he said he would call balk. Also, I'd had it called on teams I was coaching before also.

Will kill play next time or if pitcher delivers will call a strike.

Rule says something like the batter can not cause a balk.

I'm not sure it was intentional because the batter stepped out and looked straight to his 3rd base coach.

Will call it differently next time.

Thanks for the responses!!