Regarding the so-called "bounce," I watched BJ Ryan a lot, and he seemed to balk every time he threw a pitch because of how he supposedly "came set." However, this was never called. Why not? Ryan was a balk a pitch.
@SoftBank47 Good question! Over the years some pitchers have done certain things in their wind up/set position and what seemingly appeared to be a balk was not called. Pitchers back in the day were given a "free pass" if you will, like Luis Tiant, whereas his move was basically the same everytime so the umpires overlooked it, so to speak. But since I've never seen BJ pitch I can't comment directly on his move. Remember Bert Blyleven? He bounced everytime! He wouldn't be able to do that now
Another thing they can't do that you didn't hit upon was that you can't stop in two places. 1988 was the year when they called an enourmous amount of balks during the first half of the MLB season.
Please show me in the rule book where is talks about shoulder movement. Oh, that's right is doesn't just like the 45 degree rule that doesn't exist. The rule book summarizes the balk in 2 basic rules...the pitcher must step towards the base he is throwing which outlaws the spin move that most pitchers do and the pitcher is not to make a move for the purpose of decieving the runner which is umpires discretion. Shoulder movement is only a balk if the pitcher moves in a way to deceive the runner
@bubnick44 Hi Bubnick44, you're basically right but there's more to it then that and that's why if an amateur umpire doesn't get good "formal" training (Pro training), learning the rules with interpretations, he or she won't know and understand the rules properly.
@KyleClayton21 If the pitcher doesn't stop, it's a balk. You call a balk. In High School the ball becomes immediately dead as soon as you call balk. College and Pro, you basically let the play finish (short answer). And yes each runner is awarded one base when a balk is called.
Bugsy I live in Maple Grove, I love having you as the trainer for all us umps you are one of the best! thanks again for all the help i saw you where umping one of the Maple Grove Vs. Anoka games that i was at.
@samhanson7 Hi Sam, thanks for the nice words and you're welcome too, I love to teach and help guys like yourself who really want to learn to umpire the right way.
At the 5:20 mark you show a pitcher in the set position breaking his hands and stepping off the rubber with his pivot foot. If he does this and feints a throw to first base, is this a balk? I was taught that the pitcher must make two separate movements: 1)step off the rubber and establish himself as an infielder then 2) feint the throw to first base. If he steps back and feints to first he has not established himself as an infielder and is feinting to first base from the rubber.
Jross, the proper interpretation is just as I show it. As long as the pitcher does it (steps back and raises his hand up) simultaneously, he is legal. You'll see it happen a lot on the MLB games and also at the High School level and up. That interpretation is consistent at all levels.
hello, is it a balk if the right handed pitcher his foot was still touching on the pitchers plate, holding the ball with his two hands and made a playback to first base?
hey bugsy, i was a freshman this year, i got into a pretty heated argument with an ump. Im a base stealer no doubt. If i get a walk, i will eventually get to third on my own. but during one game, i got the sign to steal and i went as the pitcher (right handed) lifted his left leg to pitch. but then the pitcher stops with his left leg still in the air, plants it, and throws to second to get me out. That is a blak isnt it?
According to your description, yes that is a balk. I'm visualizing that the pitcher literally froze with his leg for a moment, correct? If that's what happened, it's a balk.
As far as the argument, somehow get your head coach out there to argue for you, so you take away any chance of being ejected. Especially if you're that fast, you're valuable to your team. Speed kills.
I will say this B., you probably had an inexperienced umpire. He has to know how to recognize that balk.
bugsy....great explanation to Bsb. a lot of players are unaware of how to interact w/ us in the proper and respectful manner. it only serves to their benefit. your vids are excellent.
Depends....If the pitcher does life his leg, and holds it there, I mean, holds it there for a long time, yes a balk. But , if its barely discernible, then thats not usually called. If your asking if its a balk because he threw to 2nd, an unoccupied base, then no thats not a balk. A pitcher can throw to an unoccupied base for the purposes of making a play, in this case, you stealing 2nd..
@Bsb322 from what I can tell you are on first base right? and the pitcher attempts to pick you off throwing straight to 2nd base? If there is no one on second base the pitcher can't throw to a base that isnt occupied at the start of the play. By freshman year I am assuming in highschool. if so then yeah there are very few good umpires in highschool and the ones that are good are umpiring varsity Another good example of this balk would be the fake to third throw to first with no one on thrid base
@bobojacobo
LOL...I agree, I'm going to re-shoot this video and make it more clear as to what I'm trying to teach. Well said!!
UmpireTeacher 1 year ago
Regarding the so-called "bounce," I watched BJ Ryan a lot, and he seemed to balk every time he threw a pitch because of how he supposedly "came set." However, this was never called. Why not? Ryan was a balk a pitch.
SoftBank47 1 year ago
@SoftBank47 Good question! Over the years some pitchers have done certain things in their wind up/set position and what seemingly appeared to be a balk was not called. Pitchers back in the day were given a "free pass" if you will, like Luis Tiant, whereas his move was basically the same everytime so the umpires overlooked it, so to speak. But since I've never seen BJ pitch I can't comment directly on his move. Remember Bert Blyleven? He bounced everytime! He wouldn't be able to do that now
UmpireTeacher 1 year ago
Another thing they can't do that you didn't hit upon was that you can't stop in two places. 1988 was the year when they called an enourmous amount of balks during the first half of the MLB season.
eddiesilversurfer 1 year ago
@eddiesilversurfer Eddie, you're right. A pitcher cannot stop twice.
UmpireTeacher 1 year ago
@ajkiller1 i do that to
neaallstar13 1 year ago
Please show me in the rule book where is talks about shoulder movement. Oh, that's right is doesn't just like the 45 degree rule that doesn't exist. The rule book summarizes the balk in 2 basic rules...the pitcher must step towards the base he is throwing which outlaws the spin move that most pitchers do and the pitcher is not to make a move for the purpose of decieving the runner which is umpires discretion. Shoulder movement is only a balk if the pitcher moves in a way to deceive the runner
bubnick44 1 year ago
@bubnick44 Hi Bubnick44, you're basically right but there's more to it then that and that's why if an amateur umpire doesn't get good "formal" training (Pro training), learning the rules with interpretations, he or she won't know and understand the rules properly.
UmpireTeacher 1 year ago
If a righty just turns and throws to first without stepping off the rubber isn't that's balk? I called that today in a game...
TheAustin1414 1 year ago
Isn't it a balk if they just turn back and throw to first with out stepping off the rubber? I just called that today in a game...
TheAustin1414 1 year ago
if the pitcher doesn't stop and just bounces back up do you award all runners an extra base?
KyleClayton21 1 year ago
@KyleClayton21 If the pitcher doesn't stop, it's a balk. You call a balk. In High School the ball becomes immediately dead as soon as you call balk. College and Pro, you basically let the play finish (short answer). And yes each runner is awarded one base when a balk is called.
UmpireTeacher 1 year ago
Bugsy I live in Maple Grove, I love having you as the trainer for all us umps you are one of the best! thanks again for all the help i saw you where umping one of the Maple Grove Vs. Anoka games that i was at.
Sam
samhanson7 1 year ago
@samhanson7 Hi Sam, thanks for the nice words and you're welcome too, I love to teach and help guys like yourself who really want to learn to umpire the right way.
:) Bugsy
UmpireTeacher 1 year ago
does the HP ump call all the balks?
arandomperson240 1 year ago
@arandomperson240
No, both umpires can call a balk.
UmpireTeacher 1 year ago
At the 5:20 mark you show a pitcher in the set position breaking his hands and stepping off the rubber with his pivot foot. If he does this and feints a throw to first base, is this a balk? I was taught that the pitcher must make two separate movements: 1)step off the rubber and establish himself as an infielder then 2) feint the throw to first base. If he steps back and feints to first he has not established himself as an infielder and is feinting to first base from the rubber.
Agree?
jross2319 2 years ago
@jross2319
Jross, the proper interpretation is just as I show it. As long as the pitcher does it (steps back and raises his hand up) simultaneously, he is legal. You'll see it happen a lot on the MLB games and also at the High School level and up. That interpretation is consistent at all levels.
UmpireTeacher 1 year ago
hello, is it a balk if the right handed pitcher his foot was still touching on the pitchers plate, holding the ball with his two hands and made a playback to first base?
msy626 2 years ago
@msy626
Hi, please re-write your question, I'm not quite sure what you're saying or asking.
UmpireTeacher 1 year ago 2
Aj,
I hate to say this but I'd have to see that one. It sounds like from what you're describing, it's legal, what he's doing.
~Bugsy~
UmpireTeacher 2 years ago
hey bugsy, i was a freshman this year, i got into a pretty heated argument with an ump. Im a base stealer no doubt. If i get a walk, i will eventually get to third on my own. but during one game, i got the sign to steal and i went as the pitcher (right handed) lifted his left leg to pitch. but then the pitcher stops with his left leg still in the air, plants it, and throws to second to get me out. That is a blak isnt it?
Bsb322 2 years ago
Hi Bsb,
According to your description, yes that is a balk. I'm visualizing that the pitcher literally froze with his leg for a moment, correct? If that's what happened, it's a balk.
As far as the argument, somehow get your head coach out there to argue for you, so you take away any chance of being ejected. Especially if you're that fast, you're valuable to your team. Speed kills.
I will say this B., you probably had an inexperienced umpire. He has to know how to recognize that balk.
~Bugsy~
UmpireTeacher 2 years ago
bugsy....great explanation to Bsb. a lot of players are unaware of how to interact w/ us in the proper and respectful manner. it only serves to their benefit. your vids are excellent.
vanparty 2 years ago
@vanparty
Thank you, I appreciate that and this year I'm going to put up a lot more!
~Bugsy~
1/15/11
UmpireTeacher 1 year ago
Depends....If the pitcher does life his leg, and holds it there, I mean, holds it there for a long time, yes a balk. But , if its barely discernible, then thats not usually called. If your asking if its a balk because he threw to 2nd, an unoccupied base, then no thats not a balk. A pitcher can throw to an unoccupied base for the purposes of making a play, in this case, you stealing 2nd..
chuckfan1 2 years ago
@Bsb322 from what I can tell you are on first base right? and the pitcher attempts to pick you off throwing straight to 2nd base? If there is no one on second base the pitcher can't throw to a base that isnt occupied at the start of the play. By freshman year I am assuming in highschool. if so then yeah there are very few good umpires in highschool and the ones that are good are umpiring varsity Another good example of this balk would be the fake to third throw to first with no one on thrid base
gogetareeljob 1 year ago
Thanks, Bugsy. I enjoy your videos.
bigyaz 2 years ago
Thanks for your input.
And keep it coming.
~Bugsy~
UmpireTeacher 2 years ago
@UmpireTeacher im a right handed pitcher and i pick up my left leg and i step toward third is that a balk
neaallstar13 1 year ago
@neaallstar13
Neal, give me more. Be more specific with your question.
UmpireTeacher 1 year ago
Around 7:25 he says they have to stop before they "pitdh or throw to first base." Not true. You don't have to stop before throwing to first.
bigyaz 2 years ago
BigYaz,
You're absolutely right. That was a "mis-speak" on my part. Thanks for catching that.
~Bugsy~
Gang, you do not have to stop before you throw to a base to try to pick off someone.
UmpireTeacher 2 years ago