Balk calls from "B" position
 

High School ball. When I am at B position (with right handed pitcher) I am primarily looking for balks related to the feet and shoulders. My question is, since I do net possess X-ray vision to see the hands, should I totally defer to HP for "no-pause" balks or am I free to call one if it is really egregious?

See a balk - call a balk.

This goes with the "you can't call a check swing from the middle" BS!

I do not understand how you could not see a balk on the "pause" with most pitchers in the B position. If you see it, call it.

Peace

About the only thing you can't clearly, see is separation of the hands before stepping off. Otherwise, you can certainly see the body come to a "complete and discernible stop".

Stop that. Just look for legal movements. Period.

See a balk, call a balk.

I also agree w/ this.

Not in my game. All I want you to do is see whether F1 disengages the rubber before feinting to first, and MAYBE a slight flinch of the pivot leg.

Scratching CT1 as my potential partner on Arbiter...

Right. You wouldn't like working with me or all of my regular HS/college partners, then.

What?

What is the benefit of the plate umpire calling all balks? Which is what is implied if you wish to have the base umpire focus on just these two things. I haven't heard this teaching before, source, please?

That attitude is the reason I was probably more frustrated in baseball with partners than any other sport. Too many of these "macho" rules people apply. The BU has nothing else really going on but watching the pitcher. And why in the pros you see someone other than the BU call a balk.

Peace

Recipe for Disaster
 

14 yr old Babe Ruth state tournament quarterfinal in WI. PU--senior guy--tells me something like this and I'm young enough to listen. Full count on batter. Pitcher rolls through motion, not even a hint of a stop. Even his grandma knew it was a balk. I lock up because the PU told me in pre-game these are his call. He's silent (well, except for "strike three!"). HC is coaching 1st and goes nuts (with good reason). We do nothing to improve the situation--we don't conference to discuss, he ignores everyone, and I for some reason decide I can't call it now 'cause it will look like the coach convinced me to call it. I can't think of anything to say to the coach except "No call, coach. Let's play ball." The offended team made it to the final and I have the plate. Coach makes a subtle balk comment at our pre-game. All I can do is wince.

20+ years later this call is one of the top three "I wish I could have that call back" to haunt me from my long officiating career.

If you see it, call it. Even if the PU tells you it's his call (of course, don't accept that instruction). Let him explain to the assignor what you did wrong.