First year ump, confused by the number of interpretations of a balk

[Pacedog]

Yeah, it seems like depending upon the league or park you go to and whomever you speak to, a balk isn't always a balk. Parks range from USSSA to Cal Ripken (?) rules. Where to what base a kid can make a feint to and not throw or has to throw. Thought I had it down last week and spoke to a guy who said he's been umping for years and it was totally different from some of the stuff I have read here, read even on the MLB 8.05 rule etc.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by Pacedog

Yeah, it seems like depending upon the league or park you go to and whomever you speak to, a balk isn't always a balk. Parks range from USSSA to Cal Ripken (?) rules. Where to what base a kid can make a feint to and not throw or has to throw. Thought I had it down last week and spoke to a guy who said he's been umping for years and it was totally different from some of the stuff I have read here, read even on the MLB 8.05 rule etc.

There are some differences depending on the ruleset however, I would say approximatey 95% to 98% of the rules on balks are the same. (OBR,NCAA,NFHS)

I am not familar with USSSA or Cal Ripken but I cant believe that the rules are that much different.

[bob jenkins]

A big issue is that MLB (and, thus, it's in OBR) has made a fake to third illegal. (FED and NCAA continue to allow the move.)

Some codes that "borrow" OBR have also made this illegal; others continue to allow it.

[Robert E. Harrison]

F3 is playing back in his normal position not holding runner on at first. Pitcher executes a jump turn and throws to F3.

Balk in OBR?

Fed?

[bob jenkins]

Generally, yes -- in both codes.

If F3 is "making a play" on the runner (and that's judgment), then it's legal

[Robert E. Harrison]

It was all F3 could do to catch the ball (a la Craig Nettles)

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Robert E. Harrison

It was all F3 could do to catch the ball (a la Craig Nettles)

Graig.

Graig Nettles Great Plays 1978 World Series New York Yankees - YouTube



If he wasn't a .248 career hitter, he'd be in the HOF. Probably should be anyway.

[Rich]

Just an unrelated note -- it's always legal to throw to the base, even with no fielder there.

Also, it's legal to step to second or third and throw to a fielder (F4, F5, F6) in position rather than to the base as long as F1 steps to an occupied base or to a base for the purpose of making a play.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Rich

Just an unrelated note -- it's always legal to throw to the base, even with no fielder there.

Also, it's legal to step to second or third and throw to a fielder (F4, F5, F6) in position rather than to the base as long as F1 steps to an occupied base or to a base for the purpose of making a play.

But if it's illegal to feint to third (e.g., OBR, PONY), then throwing to F5 when he is not in a position to make a play on the runner is a balk, same as F3.