Francisco Rodriguez bounce or stop?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

Is this tongue in cheek?

I think that "normal motion" clearly plays an enormous part in the way they call balks. No one said that "normal motion" is in the book.

What I was interested in with K-Rod is that he does it sometimes and not always. This is far worse than letting him get away with it if he did it every time. It gives him a huge advantage.

Joe

Not tongue in cheek, but based on pro instruction. I can't tell you what's in their heads, but I can tell you how they were taught to apply the balk rule.

If I had to speculate about why the "bounce" isn't balked, I would guess that the MLB umpire supervisors have told the staff to call it that way. Remember, those supervisors are some of the oldest umpires alive, and that's how it was called back in the day.

It's not called that way in MiLB.

As for K-Rod, his delivery is so quick, Ricky Henderson would think twice about stealing on him, even on that loopy deuce. I don't see any advantage gained.

[ozzy6900]

Normal Motion and Natural Delivery are simply BS!

If the pitcher's "normal motion" or "natural delivery" is a balk move, then it's a balk!

I love when I hear "But Blue, that's his natural delivery!"

[SAump]

It is not the first time. Pitchers became so use to taking a jab step toward 1b during the wind up that the rules were relaxed to permit it and then changed to allow it.

Many MLB pitchers pause two or three times before settling into the set position. It looks like their glove is "climbing down" a ladder. The pitching coaches certainly allow it. The teams allow it and the umpires now allow it. It won't be long until the rulebook will allow it.

Pitchers are walking a fine line within the rule. KRod has done it for several years now. But I do believe a balk was called against him last year. A balk, one. Can someone check? KRod motion isn't new. He did it last year. He's not alone, as other closers do it too. There are tmes when the final pause is more pronounced than the previous ones. He also tends to come set over his right hip.

[DG]

Watch MR in New York sometime.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by DG

Watch MR in New York sometime.

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

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by David B

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

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.

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

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

Now THAT is funny!

[bluehair]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

I love when I hear "But Blue, that's his natural delivery!"

Reply...Then he needs to change his nature.