Balk Talk

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Lapopez

Related to these last few posts...I see this often: A pitcher, pitching from the set, comes to his set before the batter is ready, maybe even before the batter get's back in the box after a swing. I can't say it's a quick pitch. He may give the batter plenty of time to get ready and more time after he is ready. I usually make the pitcher restart and come set after the batter is ready. But is this by rule?

While it is bad pitching mechanics to come set before the batter is ready, as long as F1 does not pitch to the batter until both feet (of the batter) are in the box, there is no violation. Once the batter puts both his feet in the box, F1 can technically pitch the ball.

If F1 is coming set before the batter is in the box, F1 has to remain motionless unless he pitches (violation) or steps off. Which brings me to another point. Why are you "resetting" anything here? Why are you preventing a possible balk by F1 not keeping still? What you are doing is not preventative umpiring, you are medaling with the game here! If F1 pitches too soon, that is a quick pitch and a violation with an award. If F1 balks, that is a violation and an award. You are an umpire, not a coach!

I have been reading this thread and it is obvious that you do not really understand FED rules nor do you understand balks. This takes time, experience and study which is fine. What I do not understand is why you are presenting this to anyone (with your limited knowledge). Maybe I missed something somewhere but it seems that you are holding a class or clinic which means that those you are instructing will be walking away with more question or worse, have the wrong answers! Please forgive me if I am misunderstanding here.