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Post by RSR_man on Nov 28, 2012 10:24:10 GMT -8
What are umpires takes on calling balks when there are only two umps?
Obviously the obvious balks would/should be called if a pitcher does something. But what about the lefty who looks like they are throwing to the plate, but pick to first? Or the other little tricks that are done that are hard to see from the front of the back of the pitcher?
Just curious on the thought process of the umps. TIA
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Post by kd on Nov 28, 2012 16:55:19 GMT -8
Every umpire is different in their understanding of and stage of calling balks. Balks are very easy to see and understand from the plate and from behind the mound. What is hard is knowing what should and should not be called. A lot of times when a balk occurs, at the HS level and below it has more to do with poor body control of the pitcher than a designed balk move taught and practiced by a pitcher. I've come full circle on balks and tend to not call very many. The reason is if I called every balk I saw that was legitimately by rule a balk, it would destroy the pace and enjoyment of the game by all. Kinda like a holding call in football. There is a hold on every snap, but not all of them, in fact most, need to be flagged.
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Post by bkwrdkurout on Nov 28, 2012 17:19:17 GMT -8
Great answer KD. The holding call in FB was a super analogy. There is already enough (1) Balkin Bob Davidson's on the Planet (See a Balk Call a Balk)
You know whose plate mechanics drive me crazy? Tim McClelland. Okay enough of that, I got to know Eddie Montague because he lives in my area. He has a sweet gig now. Drives to AT&T or the Oakland Coliseum during season and views and grades out crews. He was also in the Money Ball Movie clip (Cleveland moment) but they might have cut it out of the film!
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Post by kd on Nov 28, 2012 17:34:42 GMT -8
I was in the movie with him. It was a great experience and great pay for two weeks of eating, I mean work  |
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Post by coach2709 on Nov 29, 2012 21:11:17 GMT -8
The thing that drives me nuts about a two man crew is when either one (usually both) say "you can't call it from a two man crew - we don't have the angle". Yes you can call it from behind the plate or mound on whether the pitcher gained ground or not. It makes me wonder if they actually know that in HS there is not the 45 degree line to go from. You either are going to first or not by gaining ground. Don't tell me it can't be called - if you don't think it's a balk then tell me "coach I don't think he was going to the plate - in my opinion he went to first". I might say I disagree with you but it's over and we move on.
Another one that gets me is when a pitcher does something that falls under a mechanical balk but is never called. The ump justifies it by saying "it's part of his delivery". How does he know? This is HS - not pro where it's pretty obvious that resources exist to study pitchers deliveries to see how consistant they are. If a guy just flies through his set point and doesn't stop - that's not his delivery that is a balk.
Sorry for ranting and I appreciate umpires because I know I don't want their job but don't open yourself up for criticism by pleading ignorance or blow smoke. Don't tell me you're going to watch for it and then let it go the rest of the game. Tell me what you're seeing or even if you admit that you blew it although I understand why you won't admit that - good business there.
I will shut up now - sorry
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Post by kd on Nov 30, 2012 9:05:29 GMT -8
Gaining ground as taught in umpire school is just that, if a guy got an inch out of his original foot print then technically and legally he gained ground, and no ball should be called.
With a lefty, the philosophy again taught at umpire school is did he go more to the plate or to first?
With mechanical balks, if a guy does something that is a balk, but does it every single time, I pass on it, but if he fixes it, especially in a steal situation, I balk it.
At the level I work, I ask the infielders or catcher, what does the book say about these guys on steals, when do the like to do it? Believe me, they know the answer to the question and they share with the umps if asked.
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Post by bkwrdkurout on Nov 30, 2012 15:45:50 GMT -8
Coach2709 and KD :>) For four years at a Public HS we had this quick two way kid. MIF and RHP. He had like size 5-6 shoe size and his Pick to first was filthy. He also played hoops and soccer thus his coordination was impeccable. He picked off so many HS runners and I first heard that phrase "that's his move" or "he does the same thing every time" when I listened to arguments from opposing coaches to our umpires in the PBUA (Peninsula Blind Umpire Association/ :>) told to me by an ump of course)
This RHP never used the front knee break gizmo - he was just good. He also perfected picking to first while either "on the way up or down" something HS baserunners have no clue about. Of course they didn't know, they were taught by coaches who use to holler "but he didn't come set". God I love this game!
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