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

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??
:cool:

Time. No pitch. Start anew.

What level of ball will determine it for some...

For me, unless I feel some sort of a pick off or something I'm going to call time myself, not because of what the batter does or doesn't do. I'd probably do this 99% of the time if I'm on the plate.

Many will disagree and balk this and I can't disagree with that...unless you know that offense is doing something to try and get F1 to balk.

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

High School

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

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.

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

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

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)

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!!

no problem...certainly you're not the only one... next time you see one...let us know how it went.

there's an email signature on here from a fellow umpire that states something to the effect of..."we start perfect and get better each time out"

this is a place to go where we can improve and share thoughts and ideas, and some occasional ribbing to keep us all on our toes.

If the pitcher stops his delivery because the batter steps out of the box a balk should not be called. FED rule rule 6-4-d-1. OBR Rule 6.02(b) Comment.

Would you call a strike on the batter for stepping out of the box with both feet without being granted a time out?

Had it happen this year for me.
 

I was focused on the pitcher so I didn't see the batters actions and balked the pitcher. My partner behind the plate set it right. Both coaches questioned, both were fine with the explination. No problems.