Wakefield, Hernandez, Francona and West

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by DG

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

Irrelevant.

[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.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Another Troll has arrived!

No, Ozzy, that's simply "spam" - an entirely different thing.

JM

[bob jenkins]

When spammers appear, please do NOT:
1) respond to the post
2) quote the post
3) report the post
4) mention anything about the post

All of those make it much more difficult to remove the post, and you are in danger of being banned along with the spammer (it almost happened to you, Ozzy).

On item 3 -- I read the General, Baseball and Basketball threads as often as I read my email. So, reporting the post, which sends me an email, just means it takes me longer to get here to deal with it. Now, if I miss a post and it's there for more than a day, then go ahead and report it. Or, if there's a post in another forum (e.g., softball or football), go ahead an report it. (But, don't report anything in the testing forum -- I jsut delete all that as a matter of course.)

[Suudy]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

On item 3 -- I read the General, Baseball and Basketball threads as often as I read my email. So, reporting the post, which sends me an email, just means it takes me longer to get here to deal with it.

My apologies. I thought I was helping out.

[Ump Rube]

"There's clearly a gap between both my feet, but that didn't cost us the game there," Wakefield said.

Maybe I am missing something here, but I have never heard talk of a gap between the feet in referencing calling a balk.

Anyone else, have thoughts on this? Or is Wakefield missing something?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Ump Rube

Maybe I am missing something here, but I have never heard talk of a gap between the feet in referencing calling a balk.

Anyone else, have thoughts on this? Or is Wakefield missing something?

If the feet are in a straight line toward home before them move, and there's then a "gap" between them when viewed by the umpire after the move, then the pitcher gained distance and direction (assuming the pivot foot doesn't move).

[GA Umpire]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

If the feet are in a straight line toward home before them move, and there's then a "gap" between them when viewed by the umpire after the move, then the pitcher gained distance and direction (assuming the pivot foot doesn't move).

True but in this case, Wakefield gained distance toward HP which is where the balk came in, I believe. He went as much or more toward HP than 3B IMO. So, the gap he is referencing is of no defense for him going toward HP as well. I have a balk.

[SanDiegoSteve]

IMO, he stepped toward home, and in no fashion stepped toward 3rd. It was clearly a balk, everyone stop piling on Hernandez, and we move on.

DG, your argument that no pitcher's natural delivery includes such a step toward home is totally illogical and irrelevant. Wakefield stepped toward home, and not 3rd, and from where R1 was leading off, I am sure it looked like he was going to the plate.

There is legal deception, but this crossed over into illegal deception.

[DG]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Irrelevant.

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

[SAump]

F5 was not at 3B. F5 was playing back. Doesn't a good move require F1 to feint toward F5? Wakefield may have stepped to 3B, but he did not complete a legal feint to F5. Had he turned his shoulder to deliver the ball towards 3B, he may have avoided a balk call. F5 was no where near 3B and Wakefield made no attempt to deliver the ball to 3B or F5.

Wakefield separates his arms to simulate a pitch towards home plate and it is called a balk when he fails to deliver the pitch. This catches the runner off 1B. In summary, the PU may have seen what appears closer to a home to 1st move, than a legal 3rd to 1st move. That's a balk!

[tjones1]

Angel just got another one in the MIN/BOS game in the Top of the 8th.

[DG]

Angel just called another one from 1b position this time. Go look that video up, figure it out, and let me know what he was thinking. Uh, Joe West on the plate this time and Angel beat him to the call, if in fact, Joe would have called. I wonder, and doubt.

[tjones1]

Gardenhire dumped by West for balls and strikes.

Missed it but I think it was on a check-swing.