Catcher's balk

[Tim C]

41 years of umpiring, 4002 games . . . never saw a catcher's box called by any umpire.

Watch which end of the stick you pick up.

T

[PeteBooth]

Tee saw one

In July of 2000 - Braves vs. Brewers. Home Plate Umpire John Shulock called a rear catcher's balk on Fernando Lunar the back up F2 for the Braves. Of Coarse Mr. Bobby Cox was tossed.

Pete Booth

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by onetime1

So is the rule one foot in the catchers box or must both feet be in the catchers box?

You aren't listening. The "rule" is - don't even think of calling it. If there's a real problem in the making fix it first.

[BSUmp16]

Originally Posted by Tim C

41 years of umpiring, 4002 games . . . never saw a catcher's box called by any umpire.

Watch which end of the stick you pick up.

T

Called it my first year of umpiring - Rec U12 game. I had just reviewed that section of the Rules so I was "ready". Defensive coach lit me up pretty good, although ultimately agreed I was technically correct. Never called it again. Will never call it again

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by gordon30307

You talk about looking for trouble. You call this at any level and you'll never live it down. Talk about preventive officiating this is the classic case. Have the stop sign up and get the catcher back in the box. Pretty simple.

After applying this method to one catcher, he still didn't understand what I was talking about. It's no fun to be in slot on a RH hitter, the catcher moves, and is stationed in the LH batters box.

Thus a balk became a necessity.

[john5396]

I called it once about 25 years ago. In a rec game, catcher moved forward and was in front of the plate at TOP trying to get a jump on a stealing runner.

Agree this is a rule you should know for the test, then forget on the field.

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by john5396

I called it once about 25 years ago. In a rec game, catcher moved forward and was in front of the plate at TOP trying to get a jump on a stealing runner.

Agree this is a rule you should know for the test, then forget on the field.

I think I would have had CI (FED catcher's obstruction) on that if the pitch was made. But, that's an interesting timing question. I would never think to call that a balk because I'm about to call CI. If you do call the balk and F1 stops his delivery I guess all you have is a balk. If the pitcher delivers what do you have?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by umpjim

I think I would have had CI (FED catcher's obstruction) on that if the pitch was made. But, that's an interesting timing question. I would never think to call that a balk because I'm about to call CI. If you do call the balk and F1 stops his delivery I guess all you have is a balk. If the pitcher delivers what do you have?

Given that the number of times I've called the catcher for being out of the box is zero, and the number of times I plan on calling it the rest of my career is zero, and the prevailing opinion here is that zero is the number of the counting and the number of the count shall be zero...

I have int or obs (depending on code) on the catcher.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by john5396

I called it once about 25 years ago. In a rec game, catcher moved forward and was in front of the plate at TOP trying to get a jump on a stealing runner.

Agree this is a rule you should know for the test, then forget on the field.

Call CI and send the batter to 1B. If the runner was attempting to steal home THEN add the balk (7.07)

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

zero is the number of the counting and the number of the count shall be zero...

After saying "zero," proceed directly to "zero."

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by yawetag

After saying "zero," proceed directly to "zero."

Two is right out.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

zero is the number of the counting and the number of the count shall be zero...

Thus saith the prophet Mike, and all Mike's people said Amen and Amen!

[UMP25]

What's a "catcher's balk"? And here dummy me thought only the pitcher can balk.

What's next, a "fielder's balk"?

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by UMP25

What's a "catcher's balk"? And here dummy me thought only the pitcher can balk.

It's a balk charged to the pitcher for an illegal action by the catcher. It is really just a means to advance all runners one base. Perhaps it would be less confusing had MLB written 7.07 to say "all runners shall be awarded one base" instead of "the pitcher shall be charged with a balk," because the pitcher hasn't balked at all. In fact, it's not a balk until after the pitcher has released the pitch.

[mbyron]

He knows what it is. He was being facetious.

And it is an illegal act by the pitcher, namely pitching before all fielders are in their prescribed locations. The catcher being outside the box is not by itself illegal.