Balk Video

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Maybe OBR 8.05 (e) might be of some value to understand that an illegal pitch with runners on is a balk:

OBR 8.05
(e) The pitcher makes an illegal pitch;

Rule 8.05(e) Comment: A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter’s box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted.

Note that the comment specifically states that an illegal pitch with runners on is penalized as a balk.

The way I interpret that too is that they are mutually exclusive - you cant have an illegal pitch & balk on the same play and combine penalties like the crew in the video did.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

The way I interpret that too is that they are mutually exclusive - you cant have an illegal pitch & balk on the same play and combine penalties like the crew in the video did.

Interesting point...the penalty for illegal pitch can be a balk...but you can't have both balk AND illegal pitch penalties on the same play?

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

The way I interpret that too is that they are mutually exclusive - you cant have an illegal pitch & balk on the same play and combine penalties like the crew in the video did.

correct. we catch mlb umpires too often messing up rules... which is odd

[David M]

I found this balk penalty ruling the Baseball Almanac website:


PENALTY: The ball is dead, and each runner shall advance one base without liability to be put out, unless the batter reaches first on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base, in which case the play proceeds without reference to the balk.

It says the balk is ignored if the batter reaches on a base on balls.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by David M

It says the balk is ignored if the batter reaches on a base on balls.

Which didn't happen because the batter flied out to right. If he had taken the pitch and it was called ball four, the balk would've been ignored since the batter made it safely to first and the runner advanced one base.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Which didn't happen because the batter flied out to right. If he had taken the pitch and it was called ball four, the balk would've been ignored since the batter made it safely to first and the runner advanced one base.

HOWEVER, if the runner was on second and the pitch was ball 4, it would have been a balk; count still full.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by yawetag

HOWEVER, if the runner was on second and the pitch was ball 4, it would have been a balk; count still full.

Agreed. I was simply addressing the situation in the video, which had an R1.

[justanotherblue]

Yes, it should have been ruled as a balk. My bad. I'm thunking instead of thinking. Oh well, not the first time.

David M, all runners including the batter must advance one base or the balk is enforced, with the batter returning to the batters box with his count remaining. Since the batter flied out in the video, he goes back to bat.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by David M

.

It says the balk is ignored if the batter reaches on a base on balls.

It can't be a ball if the batter swings at it.

[MrUmpire]

I know that Johnson doesn't deserve to take the hit on this one, but he has got to be the worst call-up working.

From his floating strike zone to changing his call on Twins' Mauer getting hbp after Gardehire argued and WITHOUT talking to a single partner, AJ has shown that he is not ready for the big time.

However, rumors persist that he is second or third in order to move up.

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

I know that Johnson doesn't deserve to take the hit on this one, but he has got to be the worst call-up working.

From his floating strike zone to changing his call on Twins' Mauer getting hbp after Gardehire argued and WITHOUT talking to a single partner, AJ has shown that he is not ready for the big time.

However, rumors persist that he is second or third in order to move up.

He definitely is not second on the list. He may be third though.