Another Balk?

[Steven Tyler]

I saw this one in an A's/Rangers game last week.

Situation: R3 only and pitcher in the set position on the rubber. LHB, so F5 is playing a good distance from the bag. Ian Kinsler (R3) gets a good lead and starts like he is going to take off for home. Gio Gonzalez (F1) steps back off the rubber and makes what is very wild throw towards home that F2 doesn't even have a chance to catch. I'm sure he was trying to throw the ball so that F2 would have a chance on a play at the plate. Yep you guessed it, a balk was called by U1, our very own "Balk A Day" Bob Davidson. My guess was that he would have called the balk for simulating a pitch.

However, it looked to me as if Gonzalez just stepped off and was making what would have been a quick normal throw to retire a runner, abliet wildly. Just because Kinsler retreated back to 3B, I don't see any issue why a balk was called.

Did "Balk A Day" get it wrong, or am I missing something here? If the pitcher disengages the rubber first, can't he just throw it anywhere? It didn't really matter since Kinsler would have scored on the wild throw anyway.

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

I saw this one in an A's/Rangers game last week.

Situation: R3 only and pitcher in the set position on the rubber. LHB, so F5 is playing a good distance from the bag. Ian Kinsler (R3) gets a good lead and starts like he is going to take off for home. Gio Gonzalez (F1) steps back off the rubber and makes what is very wild throw towards home that F2 doesn't even have a chance to catch. I'm sure he was trying to throw the ball so that F2 would have a chance on a play at the plate. Yep you guessed it, a balk was called by U1, our very own "Balk A Day" Bob Davidson. My guess was that he would have called the balk for simulating a pitch.

However, it looked to me as if Gonzalez just stepped off and was making what would have been a quick normal throw to retire a runner, abliet wildly. Just because Kinsler retreated back to 3B, I don't see any issue why a balk was called.

Did "Balk A Day" get it wrong, or am I missing something here? If the pitcher disengages the rubber first, can't he just throw it anywhere? It didn't really matter since Kinsler would have scored on the wild throw anyway.

I was watching it and I feel like Davidson might have gotten him on buckling his right knee. I sure as hell couldnt tell for sure though.

[Rich Ives]

Throwing to an unoccupied base. Because the attempt was a feint it is not considered a play.

[DG]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Throwing to an unoccupied base. Because the attempt was a feint it is not considered a play.

Or, throwing a pitch, not from the rubber. Granted, I have not seen it so don't know.

[johnnyg08]

Looks like MLB changed their site...it's looking like it's tougher to search for these plays. Bummer. Anybody else having better luck?

[johnnyg08]

Here's the video clip...finally found it.

Pretty clearly shows that he started his pitching motion, then stepped off and threw home. First few angles are not very good...watch until the end.

Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | OAK@TEX: Kinsler scores on an Oakland balk - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia

[jdmara]

That is clearly a balk. He started his windup and then stepped off. I can't figure out why the PU signaled something intangible

-Josh

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

I was watching it and I feel like Davidson might have gotten him on buckling his right knee. I sure as hell couldnt tell for sure though.

My apologies....my response was for the balk Davidson called this afternoon in the Twins-Yankees game.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by DG

Or, throwing a pitch, not from the rubber. Granted, I have not seen it so don't know.

WHen Ellsbury stole home on Pettitte last year Pettitte just stepped back and then threw home. No balk. Too late on the throw.

[johnnyg08]

Spammer be gone

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

I saw this one in an A's/Rangers game last week.

Situation: R3 only and pitcher in the set position on the rubber. LHB, so F5 is playing a good distance from the bag. Ian Kinsler (R3) gets a good lead and starts like he is going to take off for home. Gio Gonzalez (F1) steps back off the rubber and makes what is very wild throw towards home that F2 doesn't even have a chance to catch. I'm sure he was trying to throw the ball so that F2 would have a chance on a play at the plate. Yep you guessed it, a balk was called by U1, our very own "Balk A Day" Bob Davidson. My guess was that he would have called the balk for simulating a pitch.

However, it looked to me as if Gonzalez just stepped off and was making what would have been a quick normal throw to retire a runner, abliet wildly. Just because Kinsler retreated back to 3B, I don't see any issue why a balk was called.

Did "Balk A Day" get it wrong, or am I missing something here? If the pitcher disengages the rubber first, can't he just throw it anywhere? It didn't really matter since Kinsler would have scored on the wild throw anyway.

The pitcher was in the Windup Position, not the Set Position. Once he started his motion, he had to continue with the pitch. He cannot step off and throw at this point. The balk call was correct. Either way, by balk or wild pitch, that run is going to score anyway.

What I thought was typically bush was the announcer claiming that the Rangers had been "victimized" lately by overruled umpire calls. Poor Rangers.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Spammer be gone

Please do not respond / post / quote the spam, nor "report" it.

Responses just encourage the postings and reports just clog up my in-box (if I miss something for a day or so, then report it).

And, to be clear, even though I'm quoting johnnyg08, I'm not directing this only at him.

Thanks

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by jdmara

That is clearly a balk. He started his windup and then stepped off. I can't figure out why the PU signaled something intangible

-Josh

That, and why the need for the umpires to get together on this?

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

That, and why the need for the umpires to get together on this?

I wish I knew the answer. Maybe they were figuring out who was buying the first round

-Josh

[GA Umpire]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

That, and why the need for the umpires to get together on this?

The only thing I can figure is what the call is and who is calling it. A balk or a wild pitch? And, possibly the count?

What was Tschida's motion of throwing up his hands? Is that a mechanic or what? And, I am legitimately asking. No smilies here.