Tim wins the Internet today.

Birdman's authority ends at the Pentagon door. :D

Situation: OBR. 1 out. Fast runner on 2nd. 1st base open. Coach tells catcher to call for intentional walk. Catcher sets up 10 feet up 3rd baseline to recieve pitch in order to prevent R2 from stealing 3rd.

Obviously, in a ridiculous case like this you may want to call a balk. Otherwise, let it go.

No. I can't allow the pitcher to pitch until the catcher gets into the box. If the catcher is set up way over there, we don't have a pitch - we have infielders throwing the ball to each other.

He has to be in the box until the TOP.

Penalty?

No penalty - just no pitching.

To get this particular balk, catcher has to be in the box and pitcher ready to pitch, and THEN get out of the box entirely before the pitch (without the umpire seeing him getting up and out and wondering what was going on, and calling time). Very unlikely scenario. Would almost have to be intentional by the catcher.

Don't.

Call.

This.

Balk.



EVER.

My mistake guys....he was not my partner I was not umpiring in this game....merely meant that I to umpire so therefore he is my fellow ump.

Just trying to get some confusion out of the way here, because by rule" until ball leaves his hand " certainly is not enforced in majors......coach was ejected because of his violent explosion after ump explained why he was not calling it a balk......however I to was involved in this same scenario two years ago....I did not call the balk either. Mine came bottom of 7th score tied 3-3, runners on 2nd & 3rd....I be dam game was not going to end on that .

That mentality can be found in association umpires as well.

It's not a matter of association. It's a matter of training.

Rita

Considering that I would only call it on a Rich Ives coached pitcher shows only how much I'd like to see the look on an old Internet friends face the moment I called it.

Nothing more, nothing less..............

And welcome back to the board. I heard they'd torn down your bridge and you lost Internet access whilst moving.

Tim.

I no longer have any authority. I retired June 1, so now I'm a lowly civilian. ;)

Congratulations, and many thanks for your service!

Thanx, all. 30 years in the Army is a long run, and for the most part quite rewarding. I just hope my second career as a contractor supporting "another" Federal Department is equally fun. So far, it's not too bad.

The worst part is trying to figure out what suit, shirt and tie to wear. It was too easy when it was a military uniform!

I feel your pain..

Congratulations on your retirement, Manny!

As an old "Internet" friend, please allow me to say thank you for your many years of service to our country. You have my utmost respect and admiration.

Tim.