I have never before today had something that I needed to get off my chest enough to grab a username and post something! I have been an umpire in this league for two years and have been able to build great relationships with many players in all of the divisions. I know that I am just an umpire and have no say in the interworkings of the league but in order to keep the integrity of the "men in blue (or red)" I need to speak about something. I hope that all managers read this and keep it in the back of their minds for the future. I know this is a recreational league and sometimes it is difficult to field full teams...and...I know that we have some great pitching in this league and some not so great pitching. Which leads me to my topic...BALKS! I know that sometimes balks are often not called in this league if they are not "deceiving" to the runner and/or batter...BUT If you put a pitcher on the mound for your team PLEASE make sure he knows the rules. We (umpires) are not here to babysit and TUTOR grown men. We dont mind giving a reminder now and then but after it is given it seems like it goes in one ear and out the other. We do work with 13 yr olds who are just coming from Little League to help teach them, but not grown men, some twice my age and older. If he does not know the rules of pitching without balking...PLEASE don't put him on the mound. It puts us in an awkward position of having to call a balk which sometimes is needed every pitch. Im sorry if I am patronizing but here is a small tutorial about what pitchers need to know (that they should have learned from watching baseball for 20+ years).
1a) In the windup, have both feet on the rubber (believe it or not its a balk if you don't) 2) In the windup...don't try to fake out a runner by stepping off and then winding up (its a feint and most of the time a balk) 3) Don't go to your mouth at anytime while on the mound, and if its cold get an umpires permission to blow on your hand
4) In the stretch, have hands separated...then when coming to the set position put them together 5) PLEASE count one-one thousand after coming to the set. ( I cannot count how many times there is not a definitive stop) 6) Dont turn your shoulder to look at first (I know it should go without saying...but trust me it needs to be reiterated!)
7) When stepping off...step back off the mound, not to the side (THATS A BALK) 8) PITCHERS-TAKE THE BATTING GLOVE OFF: We dont say anything unless the other team says something, but as we tell our 13,14,15 yr olds...its the rule...we dont make them! Oh, and by the way...take of the wristbands, arm braces (unless you have a doctors note, seriously), or white undershirt, etc.
9) (I know I am missing something) Please feel free to post a reply with your favorite missed balk! THIS IS FOR UMPIRES AND PLAYERS...cause I know we miss some that you see! :)
I have the utmost respect for all of you and you are all good athletes and most importantly good men! I love being on an MSBL field umpiring and hope to continue for years in the future! I just couldnt let this rest until it was off my chest!
I really appreciate the way you call the game and the way you handle the players. You work hard to get it right and be fair. Your patience and methods are greatly appreciated.
I have to agree with you about this. At some point, you have to make the call on a balk. TJ and many other umpires will actually take a moment to help out someone who looks a little uncomfortable or is not quite following a rule to let them know what they might be doing wrong. But they should not have to be a coach out there - and they should not have to do it continually. And he's right - this isn't Little League (though some of our plays may look like it)
If you are going to pitch, be prepared to pitch by the rules. This is not a knock on anyone who wants to pitch or if a team needs someone to step up to the rubber to take up the slack for a few innings. Just make sure you know what to do. If you are not too sure, be basic. Come set, then pitch to home. Let the catcher and fielders worry about the runners.
Heck - I don't pitch because I know I would probably balk every time someone was on base (and because my arm sucks eggs and would have to hope that bounces over the plate count as strikes).
My favorite balk? Where my team scores.
Anyway - to TJ and all the umpires. You have done a fantastic job of being the adults overwatching the fat, loud-mouth, wise-ass kids in the sandbox. Keep up the good work and thank you.
I can appreciate the frustration umpires get from the balk rule. (As a pitcher, I can relate to the frustration just as I've been frustrated trying to figure out the strike zone of some umps.) The solution appears to be simple: for flagrant balks - call it... for suttle balks give one warning and then call it. I've been called for a balk only a few times in my career - and in each instance I've asked what I did to cause the balk. It only takes a brief explanation. But there are the times an umpire doesn't know the balk rule... For example, from the stretch posiiton I take the signal and move my left foot forward to home plate and then back while joining my hands. I've had a couple of umps tell me that although this is a balk, they wren't going to call it. When I've reminded them (after the game, of course) that Steve Trachsel and Mike Mussina do this all the time, I get no repsonse. With one umpire - from the old association - this has been a constant discussion. The "deceiving the runner' provision is paramount towards understanding the rule although the particulars of the rule as listed are very helpful and are "the letter of the law"...
I can guess umps all over the nations and especailly in rec leagues encounter this. I'm with Ray, take lessons and learn, pitch from the wind-up and let the runners go.....its usually blown out by the time the pitchers in question are summoned to wrap it up for the already losing team and it'd be my guess the runners would hold out of courtesy. I think a far more reasonable deal would be institute mercy rules across the board, 10 runs 5 innings. no descretion by the losing team. avoid that ugly stuff. No ones wants to play these games and i'm sure no ump enjoys the parade of balks and more to the point balls and walks. Our umpire organization is just that, ours. TJ ,your comments and your fellow umps comments are welcome, you are members in the CDMSBL. with your help and efforts we are great league and with refinement and even better league. If we need rules to help this out we should make them.
It's a coincidence that we had a qualifying circumstance last night. There was a left hander pitching for the Blue Jays. After a foul ball, he would start his set position with hands together, break his hands and put them back together. It's a balk. I tried to be subtle, telling the 1st baseman his pitcher was balking, but loud enough for the field umpire and pitcher to hear me. I was hoping the 1st sacker would get the hint and go talk to his pitcher. Didn't happen.
There was nothing deceptive, deceiving or disastrous going on, but a standard was being set. What would have happened if the pitcher went through the same motion later in the game, threw to first and picked off the runner? Is it fair to call a balk on a pitcher when it was overlooked up to that point?
As an umpire, when I see a blatant balk in a pitcher's process, I'll call time to "inspect" the baseball. I know it's not the umpire's job to provide instructions on how to pitch, but I'll explain to the pitcher what is doing wrong. If the pitcher reverts to his balking ways, I start calling balks. That's my style.
A balk is balk. Don't be afraid to call it.
Part II is - managers, don't put a player on the mound if he doesn't know the fundamentals of pitching.
I always thought your 1A bullet item was the rule, but after scrutinizing the MLB rules the past week, MLB rule 8.01(a) Comment: contradicts the two feet on the pitchers plate rule.
Rule 8.01(a) Comment: In the Windup Position, a pitcher is permitted to have his free foot on the rubber, in front of the rubber, behind the rubber or off the side of the rubber.
As a fellow ump, I applaud TJ for starting this discussion. I had an issue with a pickoff move that wasn't called a balk because the pitcher's foot that was on the plate came toward home plate. He literally jumped toward home plate and threw to first. That's a balk.
In two other instances, and I'm sure these guys won't mind being used as examples because they are veterans aned savvy baseball players. I was in the "B'' position with Chuck Sohl on the mound. He didn't come to a complete stop on a delivery. I subtly reminded him to come to a discernable stop. He knew it and did so - till about two innings later. He didn't come to a stop and I balked him. He looked at me and said "you just got done telling me, and I did it anyway. Good call.''
Another one: My 47 teammate, Chris Abrams, was on the hill for the 38 Orioles. I had the plate that game. He was taking his signs from the set position with a runner on first. I called time and went out to explain it to him. It didn't happen again. Had he done it again, I would have balked him. No one would have complained had I ignored it. But having a pitcher perform by the rules makes the league a bit more professional.
After the first alert to a pitcher, the rest is on him. Of course, discression must be used. I would NEVER decide a game on a balk such as described if I hadn't had to issue a warning previous. If a player begins a delivery to the plate with runners on and a tie score in the 7th, then for some reason does not make the pitch, then it's on him. That's blatant.
I just hope now that players don't use this discussion to yell "balk'' on something that appears to be, but isn't. As with any call, please call time and walk out to the umpire. Jim Konstantakis
From everything that I'm reading, it would appear that the umps are using common sense and in the spirit of the subtle issue. Sometimes, Ralph, things aren't what they appear - that's what I mean by subtle... see my original post about me being called for a balk when it isn't... rather than call the balk, I was told and although they are wrong, I adhere to their ruling rather than make a big thing about it... if they think what I'm doing is a balk they'd call it (as either it is or isn't a balk) and guess what? - they would be wrong... in the spirit of our league, I'll rest my case on erring on the side of caution.
John Reel brings up a good point... why isn't there a 10 rule after 5 in the 47's?
Just as a matter that was brought up in this forum - I agree with John R about the umpires and the rules of pitching.
But I do not like an automatic 10 run / 5 inning rule. The only way some of us get any better is to keep playing the game. It can be infuriating and downright disheartening, but I look at it as a chance to get reps against good teams and to try some new things.
You have to take your lumps - as long as you continue playing. If the team who is down wants to keep playing and trying - I think the game should go to completion. It should still be at their discretion. If they don't think it is worth it - then stop. (If I am on the losing end, I know I do not want to save any innings for a good team's pitchers).
Just my two cents worth (And I'm looking for change).
In changing subjects from the balk, re: 10-run rule, guys pay to play, so the score is incidental. As former 47 commissioner, that's what the managers wanted. Besides, a team trailing by 10 or more can wave the white flag and call it day if they so choose to.
This also gives the better teams a chance to get reserves some playing time. After all, their money counts, too. This is also why I don't agree with umpires "widening'' the zone in a lopsided game. Reserves deserve an equal chance to get in an honest at-bat.
