Balk off: KC vs CWS 7/4/11

[mbyron]

Anyone see the game ending balk? A little flinch right before the stretch...

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?co...93214&c_id=mlb

[jicecone]

Sorry my computer slo-mo doesn't work that good.

I'm not saying he didn't balk...............then again I'm not syaing he did balk.

[umpjong]

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

[TwoBits]

Not seeing a balk. Perhaps it was called because Crow raised his hands up to his chest instead of keeping them down to his sides as he stepped off. OBR specifically says this has to be done in a windup, but doesn't say so specifically from the set position. Just trying to figure out what the umpire saw here. I don't see anything when he is in contact with the pitcher's plate though.

[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 ...

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

Perhaps it was called because Crow raised his hands up to his chest instead of keeping them down to his sides as he stepped off. OBR specifically says this has to be done in a windup, but doesn't say so specifically from the set position.

That's not a balk -- the hands need to be lowered only before the pitcher re-engages the rubber.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by umpjong

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

Hey! You got this one right! Brings your average up a little!

Watch his hip at the very beginning of the clip...

JJ

[SAump]

He is not even set. He can turn twitch or step off.

I think Ed thought F1 was set. His mistake, not F1.

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by JJ

Hey! You got this one right! Brings your average up a little!

Watch his hip at the very beginning of the clip...

JJ

As told by Royals manager Ned Yost, Rapuano said the balk was called due to a shoulder turn. Hip motion was not mentioned.

[MeOfficial]

You can also see the 3b and the 2b umps pointing for the balk.