balk on the 45 degree lhp

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Huh? It's PRIMARILY the plate umpire's call. It would be much more understandable if he had it and you didn't.

Right. CCA manual recommends PU calling the "step balks"

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by bossman72

Right. CCA manual recommends PU calling the "step balks"

Boss, I thought that was the case. If the BU can see this, it must have been very bad. The PU has the best angle on it.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

Boss, I thought that was the case. If the BU can see this, it must have been very bad. The PU has the best angle on it.

In threeman, as in the OP, U1 has an excellent view of this balk, in my opinion, better than PU.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

In threeman, as in the OP, U1 has an excellent view of this balk, in my opinion, better than PU.

The BU would have an ok view. The PU is looking at it straight on and, therefore, has the best view...that is why the CCA manual has the PU calling step balks.

[Kevin Finnerty]

PU has the best view of progress toward first, and BU has the best view of this call, which involves progress toward the plate.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

The BU would have an ok view. The PU is looking at it straight on and, therefore, has the best view...that is why the CCA manual has the PU calling step balks.

Nonsense. that's like saying the first base coach has the best view of the outside corner...same angle.

U1 is looking straight at the front of the leg and can see better than anyone other than BU coach at third whether or not a LHP is stepping more to one side or the other. Simple geometry.

The folks at CCA, God bless them, are not perfect.

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Nonsense. U1 is looking straight at the leg and can see better than anyone other than BU coach at third whether or not a LHP is stepping more to one side or the other. Simple geometry.

The folks at CCA, God bless them, are not perfect.

I agree. Either can call both though PU has the best angle for distance, BU for direction.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by justanotherblue

Dash has it. The calling umpire should approach the coach as he is patting his chest saying, I got it coach, that's a balk, he did.....

OK, but then I look like an idiot. Sorry, I already do that enough on my own. "Yes, coach, I called a balk, but I don't know why. Let's ask my partner!"
I MIGHT echo the "Time" call, but never the "Balk" call unless I see the balk, too.

JJ

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Absolutely. All umpires should at least echo the call. This could save a big argument when the coach hears it coming from every direction. Isn't that why we have partners in the first place? I've never been too shy to call a balk, or echo my partner's balk call, whether I saw the balk or not. If my partner says it's a balk, it's a balk.

Can't call something if you didn't see it....

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Absolutely. All umpires should at least echo the call. This could save a big argument when the coach hears it coming from every direction. Isn't that why we have partners in the first place? I've never been too shy to call a balk, or echo my partner's balk call, whether I saw the balk or not. If my partner says it's a balk, it's a balk.

We echo the "time" call, but not the balk, unless we saw it. We don't make calls that we don't see.

[JR12]

Also the coach CAN"T come out on a step balk. He is risking ejection. MLBUM.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by JR12

Also the coach CAN"T come out on a step balk. He is risking ejection. MLBUM.

The MLBUM governs MLB, and I would never eject a coach merely for asking why I called a balk.

Of course, when I call a balk he already knows the problem:

"Balk! Time! That's a balk, no step!"

"Balk! Time! That's a balk, no stop!"

"Balk! Time! That's a balk, started and stopped!"

etc.

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by mbyron

The MLBUM governs MLB, and I would never eject a coach merely for asking why I called a balk.

Which is why I don't feel like the MLB manual is something I absolutely must get my hands on.

Can a coach ask for an explanantion? Sure. If he stays out there and keeps arguing, well...

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SethPDX

Which is why I don't feel like the MLB manual is something I absolutely must get my hands on.

Can a coach ask for an explanantion? Sure. If he stays out there and keeps arguing, well...

According to the MLBUM (and maybe PBUC, I forget), the calling umpire is to indicate (I think by slapping his leg) that it was a "no step" balk.

So, the coach already has his explanation. There's no need to come out.

[JR12]

Yes, thats the mechanic.