Balk off: KC vs CWS 7/4/11

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by umpjong

Appears he called it on the twitch of his hip prior to stepping off. Similar to stopping and starting.

I see the twitch, but he had yet to come set. Could the twitch been interpretted as a feint to somewhere?

[mbyron]

The flinch, if that's what it is, violates the requirement that F1 stretch/come set in a single, uninterrupted movement. That's the only thing I can imagine him calling here...

[TwoBits]

The ESPN write up. I hope it really didn't happen in the order described:

"With Dunn up and facing a 1-0 count, Pierzynski [the runner on third at the time] noticed Crow's front shoulder move after he saw it, Pierzynski alerted the umpires and that prompted the players in the White Sox's dugout to jump up and plate Ed Rapuano then called a balk, giving Chicago the win."

Ned Yost said after the game Rapuano told him he saw Crow's shoulder turn, so apparently the hip twitch/flinch had nothing to do with it. That makes it even more confusing as to why it was called.

[jicecone]

Watched it several more times and still didn't see it but, 3b ump also called it and R3 was indicating something too.

[MikeStrybel]

Watched it online, on QuickPitch and ESPN - none show a balk.

Pierzynski does seem to benefit from the mistakes made by MLB umpires.

[aceholleran]

PU Eddie Rap is an old friend of mine. I'll have to ask him ...