For Umpires, or Anyone Who Knows - Someone please explain the Balk ruling to me?
359488
There are a couple requirements for a balk. When the pitcher is on the rubber and comes to a set position, which is when they plant their lead foot into the position they throw from they must then make a movement toward their throwing direction. If they are going to throw to a base they have to step in the direction of the base. Once in a set postion a pitcher can't move his body without throwing to the plate or a base, if they do it is a balk. A pitcher can also balk if they do not come to a complete stop when they go into their set position, There is not time limit on the stop as long as they come to a complete stop. A pitcher can also commit a balk if they got to their mouth while on the dirt of the pitchers mound. If a balk is issue each runner on base gets to move up one base and the play is dead. If there are not runners on base then the batter is issued a ball.
1185716
Getting hit by the ball is part of the job.  I ump for young kids, 12U.  I wear steel toe shoes, shin guards, and a chest protector (sometimes).  Tell this umpire that if he can't take it, he shouldn't ump.  The league should be notified too.  Also, the league should do more to encourage and train more umpires.
822406
The refereeing has been very inconsistent with these new rules! I'm all for cleaning up the cheap stuff and the blatant restraining penalties but I've seen lots of questionable calls on hooks, tripping and interference but then there are times, especially late in the game that they ignore obvious penalties and that needs to change!! They should also do away with the 2nd referee...that's like having 2 judges in a court case!!
1029100
It is 0, the runner must make it to first base safely without any other outs recorded to have any of the runs coun, very nice question, and the guy a few questions up read it wrong, two outs stop all preceding runs\n\n7.12 Unless two are out, the status of a following runner is not affected by a preceding runner's failure to touch or retouch a base. If, upon appeal, the preceding runner is the third out, no runners following him shall score. If such third out is the result of a force play, neither preceding nor following runners shall score.
1095750
They are two entirely different calls.  A Base on Balls (BB) is when four pitches are called balls and the batter takes first base.  A Balk is when there are runners on base and the pitcher starts his motion and then resets without throwing the ball.  A Balk can not be called if there are no runners on base.
1097657
i agree partially with you. Errors are part and parcel of any game say it tennis or football or name any game. LBW decisions cannot be decided by third umpire with the camera angles. The umpire in the field is the best to give the decisions. It is a error ridden game, you may be unlucky in getting a decision. The same gayle who should be out on 0, went on to make 72.\n\nfinally it evens out. If third umpire has to give all the decisions, it would slow down the temper of the game. For runout decision, it is fine. For LBW, i cannot accept with you. Sorry
301416
Do you think by punishing international umpires for mistakes it would stop them from making these mistakes? You think that giving LBW decisions in the split second they've got to make them is an easy task, especially as they've got to watch the non-striker's popping crease for no-balls aswell. \n\nI think the answer is with using more technology to alleviate mistakes, but a lot of umpires are not completely happy about this because it would make them more or less redundant, especially with the more important decisions.
373814
They are negated, a game and it's accompaning stats are not official until after the fifth inning.\nI hope that helps.
420258
The above answer is WRONG.  He's looking at the wrong rule!!!\n\nHe's awarded 2nd base.  Rule 7.05(h) One base, if a ball pitched to a batter, or thrown by the pitcher\nfrom his position on the pitcher's plate to a base to catch a runner, goes into a stand or a bench, or over or through a field fence or backstop.\n\nMaybe he should read the rules instead of copying and pasting them.
58448
Under a strict interpretation of the rules: yes, you are right.\n\nBut since rules mean only what they are interpreted to mean, and players play knowing the prevailing interpretation: no, because officials allow that extra step.
586878
There is no such thing as a tie. The rule states that the runner has to beat the throw to first, that leaves it as a judgment call by the umpire. The following is taken from a chat with Tim McLellan who is a professional umpire:\n\nI am an umpire for Little League. The coach told me that ties go to the runner. I said the batter has to beat the throw to first because there are no such thing as ties. Who is right?\n-- L.M.F.\n\nMcClelland: That is exactly right. There are no ties and there is no rule that says the tie goes to the runner. But the rule book does say that the runner must beat the ball to first base, and so if he doesn't beat the ball, then he is out. So you have to make the decision. That's why umpires are paid the money they are, to make the decision on if he did or if he didn't. The only thing you can do is go by whether or not he beat the ball. If he did, then he is safe.
1016776
There have been lots of instances where a false decision has directly affected the outcome of the game. I think this is a very good move by the ICC. I've heard they will experiment this new rule during next years world cup. As far as the time consumed by referals to the third umpire are concerned, it isn't a problem. A few minutes more won't do any harm to the game. The human element might just take a plunge but that doens't matter. Accurate decisions are a lot more important.
354007
You answered your own question.  Try it, and you'll be called for a balk.  However, it evens out because a lefty has a much easier throw to first than a righty.
248835
Baseball rules are tricky because there are so many ways to itterpret them. This is what I've figured out so far...\n\nIf the ball bounces infront or is nowhere near the plate, it is considered a wild pitch (And believe me, there are jokers out there who will swing at something like that if they think it'll get em to first).\n\nIf the ball is caught by the catcher, the batter is just out. If the catcher drops the ball, it is considered just a passed ball *UNLESS* it is a third strike and results in a base. In that case, it is indeed an error on the catcher.
560890
I'll go with Joe Umpire's answer.  Seems thorough and comprehensive enough.  But I'd like to add that major league umpires always get the call wrong, in every case, and are the most obnoxious and confrontational of any of the sports.  That's why everyone hates them.  They should go away.  Future, please come, and bring your robo-umps with you.  Thank you.\n\n--J.
1168644
The play stands, by Rule 7.05 (c & e):\n\nEach runner including the batter runner may, without liability to be put out, advance-\n\n(c) Three bases, if a fielder deliberately throws his glove at and touches a fair ball. The ball is in play and the batter may advance to home base at his peril.\n\n(e) Two bases, if a fielder deliberately throws his glove at and touches a thrown ball. The ball is in play; In applying (b c d e) the umpire must rule that the thrown glove or detached cap or mask has touched the ball. There is no penalty if the ball is not touched. Under (c e) this penalty shall not be invoked against a fielder whose glove is carried off his hand by the force of a batted or thrown ball, or when his glove flies off his hand as he makes an obvious effort to make a legitimate catch.
297401
Is this to send signals to the pitcher?  (safe to assume since this was posted in Baseball)  Never heard of such a device and what's the matter with the catcher and third base coach's hand girations?