Balk Rule

[kappcity06]

This is for Juniors

In my interpretation of rule 8.05 L, which says that a pitcher may not remove one hand from the ball once in a legal pitching position, I called a balk on a player who came to the set potion in the stretch without the ball in his pitching hand but in his gloved hand.

Is my interpretation correct or am I wrong in assuming this?

If I am wrong how should I approach this situation...If the calls that I made on this team during pool play are deemed incorrect and I now have this team in the final round of the district tournament how should I handle it...should I make no mention of the mistake and not call it incorrectly or should I speak with the coach and explain my mistake and the correct ruling?

[Rich_Ives]

Originally Posted by kappcity06

This is for Juniors

In my interpretation of rule 8.05 L, which says that a pitcher may not remove one hand from the ball once in a legal pitching position, I called a balk on a player who came to the set potion in the stretch without the ball in his pitching hand but in his gloved hand.

Is my interpretation correct or am I wrong in assuming this?

If I am wrong how should I approach this situation...If the calls that I made on this team during pool play are deemed incorrect and I now have this team in the final round of the district tournament how should I handle it...should I make no mention of the mistake and not call it incorrectly or should I speak with the coach and explain my mistake and the correct ruling?

You aren't "set" until your hands are together. Perhaps you could describe what he's doing a bit better.

[p1timeblue]

Originally Posted by kappcity06

If I am wrong how should I approach this situation...If the calls that I made on this team during pool play are deemed incorrect and I now have this team in the final round of the district tournament how should I handle it...should I make no mention of the mistake and not call it incorrectly or should I speak with the coach and explain my mistake and the correct ruling?

Don't bring it up, and call it correctly. It's a new game, so let bygones be bygones.

[Richard_Siegel]

Originally Posted by kappcity06

This is for Juniors

In my interpretation of rule 8.05 L, which says that a pitcher may not remove one hand from the ball once in a legal pitching position, I called a balk on a player who came to the set potion in the stretch without the ball in his pitching hand but in his gloved hand.

Is my interpretation correct or am I wrong in assuming this?

If I am wrong how should I approach this situation...If the calls that I made on this team during pool play are deemed incorrect and I now have this team in the final round of the district tournament how should I handle it...should I make no mention of the mistake and not call it incorrectly or should I speak with the coach and explain my mistake and the correct ruling?

Since you posted this in the Newbies section I will assume that you are a fairly new umpire. The misundersanding you have made on this call shows a major lack of understanding of the balk rules. I am not saying this to redicule you, rather I am pointing out that you need to get better training about balks. Especially if you are going to be umpiring critical tournament games that. Recognizong balks and knowing how to enforce them takes time and experience. I suggest you immediately order the Jim Evans Balk DVD at the link below. Watch it everyday for a week and then once a month thereafter.

You posted this item because you knew you might have kicked this call. I assume you want to get it right in the future. Getting this video will set you straight.

The pitcher may engage the rubber with the ball in either hand. The balk you are confused about, taking a hand off the ball (seperating the hands actually) applies once the hands come together in the set position. Of course F1 may seperate his hands if he is pitching or throwing to a base, or after he legally disengages the rubber.

http://www.umpireacademy.com/store/p...products_id=30

Save the confession for church. Learn from the mistake and forget about it.

[blueken]

I see young kids get on the rubber with the ball in their glove. Then they reach in and take the ball out of their glove and drop their hands to their sides to take the sign and proceed from there.

Is it a balk? When they reach into their glove to get the ball, are they in the set position for that instant?

[semper_fi_72]

Originally Posted by blueken

I see young kids get on the rubber with the ball in their glove. Then they reach in and take the ball out of their glove and drop their hands to their sides to take the sign and proceed from there.

Is it a balk? When they reach into their glove to get the ball, are they in the set position for that instant?

blueken

Recommend reading OBR 8.01(b)
By your description I say it is not a balk.
Just their normal routine prior to taking signs and going to a proper set position.

Recommend the JEA DVD listed above.
Every umpire who works levels where Balks are called should have it in their library.

kappcity06
You were given class advice above.
We learn from our mistakes and move on.
If you need to do penance for your sin, I suggest drinking 2 Cold Beers and saying 10 Play, 10 Foul, 10 Strike, 10 Ball 10 Out and 10 Safe
Then give the thought an ejection and move on.

[Richard_Siegel]

Originally Posted by blueken

I see young kids get on the rubber with the ball in their glove. Then they reach in and take the ball out of their glove and drop their hands to their sides to take the sign and proceed from there.

Is it a balk? When they reach into their glove to get the ball, are they in the set position for that instant?

Could be, but we let that go.

[iamdabobo]

Originally Posted by blueken

I see young kids get on the rubber with the ball in their glove. Then they reach in and take the ball out of their glove and drop their hands to their sides to take the sign and proceed from there.

Is it a balk? When they reach into their glove to get the ball, are they in the set position for that instant?

If all they do is get the ball from their glove, no balk. If they pause with hands together (even whilst getting the ball), then separate again without disengaging the rubber, balk. I see this a lot in 11u, I balk 'em, and they learn.

[marine_1]

Originally Posted by Richard_Siegel

Could be, but we let that go.

If he has not come to a set position then the pitcher may reach in to his glove to retrieve the ball and then come to the set position. It looks weird when a pitcher does this but as long as he does not stride together it is allowed because a pitcher has only come to the set position when he has strode and brought his hands together. When calling a balk you need to ask yourself was the pitcher trying to deceive the runner? If the answer is yes it is most likely a balk.

[cbfoulds]

Originally Posted by marine_1

<SNIP>When calling a balk you need to ask yourself was the pitcher trying to deceive the runner? If the answer is yes it is most likely a balk.

The "intent to deceive" criterion is ONLY useful in working out go-either-way circumstances. O/w the advice quoted above is about the WORST possible rule of thumb for calling balks. DO NOT FOLLOW THIS ADVICE if you want to call balks correctly.

There is plenty of intentional deception that can be attempted by F1 that violates none of the balk rule(s): thus if you use marine_1's advice, you will call a lot of balks that simply ain't.

[bobjenkins]

Originally Posted by marine_1

but as long as he does not stride together it is allowed because a pitcher has only come to the set position when he has strode

Reference, please.