Wakefield, Hernandez, Francona and West

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Was it a great call then, or was he just doing his job?

Both. He did his job by making a great call...one that so many of his brethern ignore.

[Rich]

A picture tells a thousand words, but not all of them are true.

Watch the video. Clearly the weight and step go towards home. An easy call for the plate umpire and I can't believe so much effort is going to show that Hernandez is "wrong."

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

A picture tells a thousand words, but not all of them are true.

Watch the video. Clearly the weight and step go towards home. An easy call for the plate umpire and I can't believe so much effort is going to show that Hernandez is "wrong."

I won't say that it's blatant or obvious, but I think it is the right call based on the video.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

A picture tells a thousand words, but not all of them are true.

Watch the video. Clearly the weight and step go towards home. An easy call for the plate umpire and I can't believe so much effort is going to show that Hernandez is "wrong."

Yep. I've got a balk on this one too. It's not blatant, but I can see why he called it.

[DG]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

A picture tells a thousand words, but not all of them are true.

Watch the video. Clearly the weight and step go towards home. An easy call for the plate umpire and I can't believe so much effort is going to show that Hernandez is "wrong."

No RHP steps in this manner to throw home, and there is no 45 degree rule.

I could care less about Hernandez, and it is easier call for 3b ump. Joe West was at 3b, and he did not call it, so clearly, it was not clearly a balk.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by DG

No RHP steps in this manner to throw home, and there is no 45 degree rule.

I could care less about Hernandez, and it is easier call for 3b ump. Joe West was at 3b, and he did not call it, so clearly, it was not clearly a balk.

Whether 45 degrees is written or not, it's certainly the easiest way to describe what makes a step more towards one base as opposed to another.

You couldn't be more wrong. Who better to see a step to the plate than the plate umpire?

[DG]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Whether 45 degrees is written or not, it's certainly the easiest way to describe what makes a step more towards one base as opposed to another.

You couldn't be more wrong. Who better to see a step to the plate than the plate umpire?

Show me a video of a RHP who has ever stepped in this manner to throw home and I might agree with you. As it stands I do not on either of your points.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by DG

Show me a video of a RHP who has ever stepped in this manner to throw home...

Irrelevant.

[DG]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Irrelevant.

Dadgummit, had not signed in so irrelevant poster list not turned on....

[cookie]

"...but I think it is the right call based on the video. "

How many of us really get the opportunity to review a balk in video before making a call? No one. We get a one-shot deal...

I probably would have seen nothing here in real time and let it go, but upon video review, Yes, it sure appears to be a Balk. Kudos to Hernandez for catching it in real time...

[MikeStrybel]

I missed a balk a few games ago. The pitcher was being scouted by about a half dozen teams - he had already signed to play in South Carolina next year and was a bit of a head case. He was off and rocked early. While trying to disengage and look at first, his spikes caught and he was hung up for more than it took to call the infraction. It bothered me more to not call that than any coach chewing on me ever could. It was a split second and I'm 60+ feet away but it should have been done. We only get one shot and knowing that doesn't make it easier. Stewing on it will make me better and ready for the next time. Split seconds are all we have.