Balks get enforced in MLB like travelling gets enforced in NBA.

I don't think that's necessarily true.

Huh? Not even close. Rondo just got away with one the other night that would be the equivalent of not balking a feint to first. Sorry, this comparison is not anywhere near to apt.

But it does make one wonder what is actually considered a balk in MLB. I mean you watch them everyday on ESPN and its hard just about everytime to actually see what was the balk.

Sure there are some that are obvious, but not many.

My son and I debated the balk Joe West called the other night and even though I tried to explain it, my son said "he stepped to first". Of course we don't have the angle that the Umpire had which is the best angle, but still ...

Thanks
David

I disagree with both your general claim and your specific claim.

Virtually every balk I see in MLB is obvious to me. Usually it's a flinch after coming set, or more properly, starting and stopping. Sometimes it's hard to see given one camera angle, but another one will show the balk.

I believe that both balk calls against Buehrle the other day were called because he made a move to home and then stepped and threw to 1B. One was quite obvious: though his foot moved to 1B, his entire upper body was moving toward the plate. That's a balk.

IMO, the only reason people have trouble understanding balks is that they don't bother to learn the rules. I'm including the announcers. It just ain't that difficult.

Well if its that obvious then I wonder why we have some very good umpires who have debated this for days on this site.

And the pitcher in question has been making this same move all season long and suddenly now its a balk?

Hmm. I agree that its not that hard, but in MLB its not always cut and dry.

At least that is my observation. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course.

Thanks
David

If you actually think what Mariano Rivera does is a balk, then you are to umpiring what Barney Fife is to law enforcement....:(

See "Ozzie's at it again" thread.

The fact that he has been making the same balk move all season long is completely irrelevant. I get that excuse from managers and players all the time and I don't buy it.

Now THAT is funny!:D