balk on the 45 degree lhp
 

this weekend working woodbat this "college pitcher" ( he was terrible I dont know what college would pick him up) was almost literally striding directly to home and comming to first with the ball for the pick off. We were working 3 man and I was at first so I could see it clear as day. The skip came out to argue after I called the second balk got in my face and said " how can you call that ?" and he gave me the gambit of how this kid has done this for 2 years and never been called. how many other people are seeing this go on in there games?

As described, this is a balk in every code, every level.

"Well guess what coach, he's been balking for 2 years!"

What did the plate umpire have on the play(s)?

He thought the ball was comming home thats what he said at post game. infact I believe his exact words were something to the effect of " I think that if you didnt call those I woulda told you that we were gonna work two man the next game and be we I mean me and mike ( U3)"

I think he can say the word "Balk!" as easy as you....If he can see it, he can call it, even in three-man.....

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.

Only one problem here - if I echo a partner's balk call, and the coach comes out to ME and asks, "What did he do?", what do I say? "He balked?" "I'm only echoing my partner's call - ask him?" I'll call "Time" when I see another partner do it, but I won't yell "Balk" unless I see the balk.

JJ

Then he should have called it, too. (And, that's different from "echoing the balk call.")

You shouldn't have to do that. Your partner (the one who called the balk) should see the coach coming out and intercept him to explain the call. If he doesn't, then by all means send the coach to the umpire who made the initial call.

the only problem with him calling it ... is wait... he didnt ... and he wouldnt have .... I dont know his reasoning but he said he wouldnt have called it from the plate... but that it was definately a block

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

While working a wood bat league last year, F1 using a jump turn. Sent the catcher out to warn his pitcher he wasnt gaining any distance, and I would balk him the next time he did it. Coach between innings after casual discussion says, you mean he has a damn good balk move. I agreed.

I agree, plate umpire should be able to make this call.

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.....

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Yes, thats the mechanic.