Balk calls in College Super Regional

[ibcallindux]

I can't remember what game this was in but a balk was called when the pitcher did not come to a complete stop before delivering the pitch from the stretch. The color man, Kyle Petersen, said that in the college game the pitcher has to come to a complete stop. He went on to say that in the majors that was not the case. Did I hear that right or did I misunderstand him? Anybody else pick up on that?

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by ibcallindux

I can't remember what game this was in but a balk was called when the pitcher did not come to a complete stop before delivering the pitch from the stretch. The color man, Kyle Petersen, said that in the college game the pitcher has to come to a complete stop. He went on to say that in the majors that was not the case. Did I hear that right or did I misunderstand him? Anybody else pick up on that?

You probably heard him right, he was just wrong

-Josh

[SAump]

Two umpire schools of thought.
1) The pitcher must come to a complete stop.
2) The pitcher may blow through the stop with empty bases.
I prefer 1 over 2. It avoids a bigger mess later in the game.
A "change in direction" is not to be considered as "part" of the complete stop requirement.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SAump

Two umpire schoools of thought.
1) The pitcher must come to a complete stop.
2) The pitcher may blow through the stop with empty bases.
I prefer 1 over 2. It avoids a bigger mess later in the game.

Your preference notwithstanding, #2 is the rule (interp) in OBR. I believe it's the same in NCAA.

The balk rule is to protect the runners. No runners, no need for protection.

[dash_riprock]

Only FED requires a stop with no baserunners.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Only FED requires a stop with no baserunners.

What is the penalty for it, a ball? I ask because I don't remember and have no rule books handy.

[Durham]

Originally Posted by ibcallindux

I can't remember what game this was in but a balk was called when the pitcher did not come to a complete stop before delivering the pitch from the stretch. The color man, Kyle Petersen, said that in the college game the pitcher has to come to a complete stop. He went on to say that in the majors that was not the case. Did I hear that right or did I misunderstand him? Anybody else pick up on that?

I would agree that in AAA and the MLB, complete stops are the rule, but not required. It is more like a small pause, as long as they don't roll through.

[umpjim]

I don't know the difference between a complete stop and a small pause. Both work for me at any level.