You make the call NLCS Game 1 - Balk? (Video)
 

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Here's a link to the video also:

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/6479266/v36795853/

What say you?

Yeah it's probably a balk. Why wasn't it called? Don't know and don't care. It happens. How many times have we seen a balk, not call it, and go Oh crap. That was a balk!

!Balk

I'm not one of the MLB umps umpiring that game. I don't get a vote.

They interviewed the pitcher on Fox tonight and he said he did.

Is this the PU's call or can any umpire call it?

Any (but it would be wierd for UL or UR to get it -- and honestly, I don't ewven know if they use 6 umps in this round or not)

I'm gonna be ready when and if I do six man.

Just like calling a false start as a deep wing -- it's not going to ever happen.

Isn't that Joe West at second?

If so I thought he never missed balk he could get

LOL

So with 4 quality umpires watching this and passing, can we assume this is not a balk?

No.

I don't think that's a logical conclusion. :shrug:

No, West is busy doing the ALCS.

Before the set position?
 

Could this have been passed on by the crew due the recent allowance of multiple steps by the non-pivot foot? I have noticed a lot of pitchers while obtaining the stretch/set position place the non-pivot foot on the ground multiple times before the stop. I am much more lenient about the pitcher's movement before the stop than I am afterwards.

I have seen a lot less movement called however, I think the fact that he did step off may have contributed to the non-call.

But, if I was doing the game, I would have called it. :D:D

I find that one pretty funny, you can hear and see everybody in the world thinking "hey that was something".. Even F1..
But really, I think they got it right. He didn't lift the foot (but couldn't have come any closer), part his hands, start the shoulders, hips related to starting his delivery.

Just flexed the front knee as he started his step off. Technically anyway.

IMO the knees are the worst place to look for a balk as it does something regardless of PO, step off and delivery. So looking at everything, else I don't see a balk.

That would make it a balk.

If that's a balk, then every PO or step off is a balk.
So call the balk here, and what is your explanation of the violation?

Started his motion and didn't complete the pitch.

Started and stopped. (three words)

Every disengagement that moves the non-pivot knee before the pivot foot is a balk.