I used to have a book of baseball quotes when I was younger. Plenty of Yogi Berra material in the book. And a few good ones from MLB umpires. I remember one in particular, but I can't recall who said it. But he was a pretty well known umpire. The quote was something like, "I never called a balk in a game. Because I never understood the rule". I can spot some of the balks in this video, and I even understand why. But the rule is kind of hard to understand I think because there were a few in here that just looked like a pitcher winding up and pitching. His glove was going down as his leg was going up? Don't pitchers wind up in that way all the time? With my non-understanding of the balk rule I would be calling a balk on Hideo Nomo every pitch because he pauses at the top. It's a silly rule that needs to be simplified.
for the clip starting at 8:58, wouldn't there be a balk at first because the first baseman appears to be off the field of play when the pitcher starts his windup
@@guymcman2806 First, you were really observant by realizing the first baseman was not in fair field. However, being the ball "life", if the pitcher starts the windup having a fielder out of the fair zone, you get automatically a balk. Rule 5.02. So, this is another double balk clip.
@@eduardovaldes8455 That's a rule about the catcher leaving the catcher box before the pitch. There's no rule that makes a 1st baseman outside the foul line a balk. If the umpire notices it, he should correct it. Otherwise there is no penalty I'm aware of.
@@MH-Tesla To my understanding, all players in fielding positions shall be in fair territory, except the catcher (who shall be inside the catcher box) at the time the pitcher starts delivering movements.
@@Person-ql1qx I'm actually pretty good. I have done a couple of USSSA world series qualifiers and was very successful. Just hit me up and I'll be there.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!? ARE YOU BLIND? I am _so_ sorry, it's just kind of second nature to yell that kind of stuff at umpires. The condition is called "Baseball Tourette's Syndrome". It affects most players, and we don't even realize we're doing C'MON BLUE, FIGURE IT OUT! Again, I apologize.
This video is the best teaching aid I have found for not just showing, but also explaining why the pitcher balked. I made it mandatory that all the pitchers on my team watch this video. Thank you again for posting this.
the balk at 1:50 - the key to understand is that a jump-turn is NOT considered stepping off, because the pitcher was engaged to the rubber _when_ _the_ _motion_ _started_ and therefore he is still a pitcher and is governed by what pitchers may do (step and throw directly to a base for the purpose of making a play, or legally feint to 2B or 3B (feint to 3B only in some rulesets)). If a pitcher wants to become a fielder, he must clearly step off *first* to become a fielder, and then he can do (mostly) whatever he pleases.
If your explanation is correct, thank you. I was about to ask why the jump turn didn't count as stepping off; he certainly didn't maintain contact with the rubber.
@@kevinlehde2650 it's something I didn't understand for a good couple of years when I first advanced past LL majors. you don't see a jump turn without a throw very often, so you can slip by not knowing for awhile.
You are correct and I called a balk on this during a HS summer league game. Coach tried to argue that he stepped off first and therefore did not need to complete the throw to first. I was the only umpire so I suppose it's possible that he did, but it sure looked like a jump turn to me so I called it.
@@larrykramer2761 If it is a jump-turn, meaning one move, then it is not considered stepping off, regardless of where that pivot foot lands on the jump turn. He has to throw to first if that's the move.
A quality instructional video for really any youth umpire and even lesser experienced high school level umpires. The biggest two items I like to focus on when I do training in our association are obstruction and the more common versions of interference, but balks are right after that. Well done and hope you continue to put together these videos.
I wish a lot more coaches were as understanding as the one with the pitcher who’s foot crossed the back of the rubber and then threw to first. When it’s only one umpire from behind the plate you are never gonna see that. I had to eject a coach for going nuts after I said I can’t see that from back there (behind the plate), and he just would not drop it. Also, youth teams like 11u and younger we will discuss at the plate meeting if they want a warning first and I will always tell both coaches, “at this age it has to be very obvious and basically trick the runner for me to call even a warning.” and 99% of the time they are just fine with it. As long as you have a great plate meeting, you can avoid pretty much everything that youth coaches get upset about.
Good real world examples with good commentary, especially for younger leagues where you see a lot more stuff than with older ages. Younger leagues is when they (and we) are learning the most!
As an umpire, I enjoy watching your videos. You are a rarity (a coach that knows the rule). For the first time, I have to disagree with something you said. A move is either legal or illegal. Just because he does it every time does not make it legal. In your example, I could argue that it was one continuous motion and not illegal. At that instance, as long as he continually moves toward home plate, it is legal. That being said, I would call a balk "judging" that he stopped and started. Most all balks are either "Start/Stop", "No Step", or "No Stop" (or pause). Keep posting videos!
I just removed that comment from the video. once TH-cam processes it with that clip removed, your comment won't make sense because it's no longer in the video. I think you are correct and I hate making an error in these types of videos.
The balk is one of my favorite little aspects of the game. I've only seen it in youth ball once and it was as a player. 3-0 count and I showed bunt. Pitcher made a complete motion and just decided to not throw the ball to me. At the time I had no idea what that meant. Could they fake a pitch like that? That's when I learned a balk with the bases empty was ruled a ball so I got a free trip to 1st base!
I have to say that this was an extremely well made video on balks in all aspects, Thanks!!! There might've been an earlier balk then the one @ 1:52 but, you'd need to know a few factors from this specific game before determining whether or not he should or shouldn't have ever even made it to the jump step no throw balk!! Because @ 1:49 his glove arm clearly twitched or if you're speaking technically then just call it a start & stop, but either way it's still equal to balk!!! Watching it on the replay might make it much easier to see.
One of the last balks the umpire screwed up. He awarded the runner third base when he was steeling second during the balk. Thanks for referencing the balk video that had part in the making of it.
I am rather new to baseball. The sport isn't big in my country. But this rule is so hard for early adapters to see. It is really interesting. Thank you for making this video and learning me what balk means. Because I did not have a clue such thing even existed.
I guess the balk rule is to make it more likely for the runner to have a fair chance at the stolen base. If not for the balk PITCHERS would have a big advantage at keeping the runner on base. Also it keeps the batter from getting erratic pitches.
At 7:09 it looks like R1 is going to 3rd. He was clearly at 1st at what would be considered "time of the pitch" so he should only be awarded 2nd base as R3 is awarded home. PU correctly sends him back to 2nd base.
Very good video (as usual). When I umpired, I was known as "The Balk Umpire". When I played ball, I was pretty fast and stole a lot of bases. So, I was coached on how to read a pitcher and his move, especially toward first, and ran pretty freely. It used to make me so mad that umpires would miss a balk or let a pitcher get away with a "balk move". The one where the pitcher (usually a left hander) would swing his plant foot past the imaginary 45 degree line that ran from the pitcher's rubber to the halfway point of the first base line and then throw to first!! That would drive me crazy because, if he swings that foot out on the home plate side of that 45 degree "line", he is supposed to go home. But, that one is not called a LOT!!
I hate to tell you this but.....you’re wrong. The “ imaginary line” you reference has nothing to do with a 45* angle. The only concern is the foot swinging past the “imaginary line” on the same plane as the leading edge of the rubber. The 45* is in reference to the actual step made by the pitcher to the base and is subject to discretion, as stated, it’s not a rule. The maker of this video obviously got picked off quite a bit by those crafty cheating lefties, it’s easy to see his bias....😂 but I digress, they got me too!
@@kerrytodd3753 I shouldn't have used the term "45 degree line", I should have said "a line that went from the leading edge of the pitcher's plate to the halfway point, 45 feet, of the first base line." If the pitchers plant foot swings in front of that and goes to the base, it's a balk. A lot of pitchers do that and it is missed a lot by umpires. Lefties get away with it ALL THE TIME.
Great Video! Excellent explainations! I've umpired over 20 years and noticed/seen every one of these moves! Called most of them as well! So correct, at the lower levels I'm not calling half of these, you'll be in a LONG GAME if you do.
Catcher’s balk, in the score sheet is still just a balk, but is a balk caused due to the catcher leaving the catcher's box prior to the pitch or catching the pitch before it reaches the plate. Any pitch that does not pass the foul line or get hit is a balk.
At 3:14 it could lead one to believe that it is illegal to attempt to throw out an advancing runner directly from the wind-up position without first disengaging the rubber. That would be true under National Federal of High School rules but *not* under OBR (Official Baseball Rules). This pitcher buckles his knee and, technically, that would be a balk - as mentioned in the video. It would be a somewhat picky balk considering the age level of the pitcher and the slightness of the "buckle." What makes it a *definite* balk is that the pitcher actually begins his delivery (by moving his left foot towards the plate) and *then* aborts that delivery in order to make a play on the runner. Under OBR, it would be perfectly legal for a pitcher, in the wind-up position, to directly throw to 2nd when the runner on 1st breaks for 2nd without first disengaging the rubber. This is not considered throwing to an unoccupied base because the runner on 1st is advancing to 2nd. The pitcher is allowed to make a play on an advancing runner. In the wind-up position, like the set position, the pitcher has only three choices: 1) pitch, 2) step off or 3) make a play on a runner. Under high school rules, in the wind-up position, the pitcher only has two choices: 1) pitch or 2) step off.
I think this was a great video and extremely helpful all around, as I played from a youth high level to a high level before tearing my shoulder twice...needless to say as a closing pitcher I could not ever take a chance of a balk, but the higher I got the more random or umpired favoured calls became balks. For example the licking of fingers or actually touching your face whatsoever while on the mound is a balk, not just on the rubber. I find it extremely hard to watch some Major League players pitch as they will balk over and over, it’s frustrating and they’re never called which is not teaching the youth coming up. The biggest one I see is the pitcher in stretch, runner on first and the pitcher lifts their front foot but then sets it down again although they’ve committed to throwing to the plate already!
REMEMBER THIS IS YOUTH BASEBALL AND BOTH PLAYERS AND COACHES AND EVEN UMPIRES ARE LEARNING ABOUT BALKS. SO IF YOUR AN EXPERIENCE UMPIRE YOU MAY SEE BALKS THAT NOBODY ELSE MAY SEE BUT I WOULD ONLY CALL THE OBVIOUS ONES OR YOU'LL HAVE A LONG LONG GAME.
Very good examples of balls. I had the hardest time as an umpire calling balls on the jr high and high school level because the coaches were not educated on balks themselves. Of course, I was less strict in the lower levels, but at the high school level, the coaches should be well educated on the ball rules.
Excellent video. In my umping days I found myself educating a lot for the younger kids. By time they are in high school though they should know what they are doing.
A move that I did in high school was extremely borderline but worked insanely well because of the illusion I gave off. -1st and 3rd worked best, but could be used if a runner could advance to any base. -Set up in the windup, but stepped off with my right foot but would be as close to the rubber as possible -However, I go through the motion as a left hander in a fluid motion from stepping off.
As a runner I love watching the pitcher hesitate a little because I’m off and I have a good coach and he will go until he makes sure the umps make the right call
If you ain’t never seen a lefty pic successfully with that move, you just ain’t been around enough baseball. I’ve seen it numerous time…..nice videos as always.
So this year, MLB is experimenting with some rule changes in the minors, and one of them is to require the pitcher to disengage the rubber with is pivot foot before throwing to any base. This would eliminate most of these lefthander's moves to 1B (and the 45-degree judgement in the process), as well as the inside move to 2B. Don't know if it'll go anywhere beyond this season, but it requires pitchers to unlearn some thing they've been doing for a long time.
at 5:30 its a balk even if its the normal delivery. You cant step towards home twice when throwing. If you look closely the pitcher stepped twice, and that is an illegal pitching motion also.
I just removed from the video that comment I said about his normal delivery. once TH-cam processes it with that clip removed, your comment won't make sense because it's no longer in the video. I think you are correct and I hate making an error in these types of videos.
At about 3:10 your comment about throwing to second from the windup seems misleading. This is one of the rules that varies at different levels and in different rulebooks, but throwing to a base from the windup is LEGAL even if rare in some books (including LL and MLB). The problem with the windup in those cases is not that you cannot hold the runner on but that the windup motion itself takes too much time and gives the runner a big jump. (This is mentioned in the same video that you've linked with the umpire explaining the balk.) To be sure the pitcher at 3:10 did balk with the first false step. It's just your concluding comment that he committed "worse" balk by throwing to second that's either wrong or, at least, not necessarily true depending on the rule book governing play in the league.
Yes. He did though step with his left foot first. Had he not buckled his right knee and not stepped forward with the left foot, BUT instead just turned to throw to second from the windup, he's not balking...although, it's going to be umpire judgement. If the umpire believes his first move matches his first move when pitching, he can call that a balk too. Best to just never pitch from the windup with runners on.
Regarding the case starting at 7:55, maybe youth ball is different, but in MLB (and college i think), this is not a balk, though it is still illegal. MLB Rule 6.02(a) Balks does not make mention to going to the mouth at all. But Rule 6.02(c) says it results in a warning, then a ball. It reads: The pitcher shall not: (1) While in the 18-foot circle surrounding the pitcher’s plate, touch the ball after touching his mouth or lips, or touch his mouth or lips while he is in contact with the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher must clearly wipe the fingers of his pitching hand dry before touching the ball or the pitcher’s plate PENALTY: For violation of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately remove the ball from play and issue a warning to the pitcher. Any subsequent violation shall be called a ball.
The video you reference in your intro is great. Am I correct in thinking that an ump should yell ‘balk’ as it happens, but not stop play until the play ends, at which time he’ll really point out the balk? This is because if the pitcher delivers and the hitter crushes one or if he throws it away on a pickoff attempt or something it’s almost like a football team declining the penalty - they’ll take the play.
1:45 According to the National Federal High School rulebook of 2020 , "Any FEINTING toward the batter or first base, or any dropping of the ball (even though accidental) and the ball does not cross a foul line" is considered a balk. There is no definition of a feint in the rulebook but anyone with access to a dictionary knows that the defintion given to a feint is "A pretended blow, thrust or other movement" this word being prodominantly found in boxing and fencing. So, with this in mind the pitcher must fake a THROW in order to balk because it is a deceptive movement. The speed at which a pitcher disengages the rubber has no bearing on the ruling of a balk.
Love this test video. Missed more than I should, but I'll use the defense of camera clarity...lol. With young pitchers, the discernible stop is the main thing to work out with them. Eager to throw vs throw only after stop.
This may have been mentioned but I am not going to sift through 400 comments. You mentioned the mythical 45° rule. In NFHS it is not spelled out in the rule book as you mentioned but it is in the case book. Great video though. If you have more like this I’d love to see them.
This is a great video. Some of these balk are quite subtle. If you can get more balk calls throwing to second would be much appreciate it since balks to 2nd normally don’t happen. Thanks again for the video
In the NFHS casebook, which is to be taken as part of the rules, it explicitly defines "stepping directly towards" as being the base-side of a 45° line (6.2.4 Situation B). OBR makes no such clarification, instead they require "direction" and "distance", which isn't very helpful. Unrelated, when there are no runners on base a pitching infraction is an illegal pitch, not a balk.
Last I checked jumping off and stepping off are the same as long as the back foot leads. It’s only if they step forward to the base in front of them that they can’t fake a throw.
In order to fake throw to first they must first disengage the rubber by stepping back with the pivot for first. If they just the jump spin move they must throw.
Why do I feel like a bunch of umpires are watching these videos but not coaches? I’ve been down the rabbit hole watching close call videos all weekend, would be great if the coaches were too. Excepted are all of you coaches who are watching...from the bottom of my heart, thank you for watching.
Is that a balk at the 1:51 mark ? His back foot did come off and behind the rubber. He doesn’t throw over but I believe doesn’t have to if his foot is behind the rubber. If he makes the spin pickoff attempt, the foot is off but in front of the rubber and then fakes the throw, that is then a balk. But he can fake the throw if the foot is behind the rubber, right ?
I have a question. There is this one pitcher in my league who does this 6:41, but he lifts his glove and arm in a T angle when lifting the leg, then he pitches. Is this a balk?🤔
I believe that if he normally does it as a windup, no, but if it’s a new thing right out of the blue, then it will be considered a balk if there’s a runner on base.
From four years of coaching. Started recording in 2016 and have over 200 games on a 5 TB external drive. I started recording so I could score the game correctly after the fact because our score keepers were inconsistent.
@ 2:00 is it a deliberate step behind the rubber, or does that pivot foot landing behind the rubber determine the state of the pitcher? Because major leaguers have done that pop to the toe on back of the rubber to fake and throw.
Stepping behind the rubber needs to be direct and obvious. This move, even if the back foot technically was being the runber is not considered disengaging the rubber. Mlb umpires have also called this a balk.
As an umpire...if you are working the plate, for your own safety, please do not stick out your hand from behind the plate or remove your mask until the pitcher stops. Even though you verbally call the balk, the pitcher still may deliver the pitch and your exposed body parts are now vulnerable. I have seen it happen. Simple say 'that's a balk' for all to hear and then get back in to your plate stance. Once everything has stopped, you can repeat yourself, point at the pitcher---"that's a balk," and then award the bases. Even if the hitter does hit a pitched ball, you can immediately declare the ball dead, bring notice to the balk and award bases. This also will help you IF the league or level you are working does not use the 'balk is a dead ball' rule. I used to work high school and college ball---a balk is a dead ball in HS and in college--as pro ball, if all runners including the batter runner advance one base safely, the balk is ignored.
The 3rd or 4th clip pitcher in red shirt actually balked before it was called for the fake throw to first. Look at the 1:59-2:00 mark and you can see him hesitate
I have a question if a pitcher has his hands together as bends forward to get the song and comes up to set position with hands together is that a balk.
As a lefty, when picking someone off at first, especially in high school that 45° he talked about is actually closer to like 10° so you gotta be really careful.
It's only a balk when a runner(s) is on base. Otherwise it's an illegal pitch and just a ball on the batter. If it's ball 4 (on the batter) he'll get first base. If a balk is called (with a runner(s) on base) that pitch doesn't count, and the base runner(s) will advance 1 base. (example: the count is 2 balls, 1 strike with a runner on first. The pitcher balks. Runner goes to second, the count remains 2 balls 1 strike with the runner on second)
Yes, it was nice and instructive watching this. Thanks (There's nice 3rd base pick-off move my dad had - not something here at all ) But balks are explained/shown nicely here. Thanks
Once I graduated from coach pitch little league, I was in the middle of a pitch when the home plate umpire threw hos hands in the air and screamed a word I had never heard before. I thought I knew a lot about baseball, but clearly didn't. If we don't have rules, and umpires to enforce them, then we don't have baseball. So, thank you umpires for making baseball possible.
In NFHS ( high school rules ) am I correct in saying that if a right handed pitcher, from the pitcher’s plate, steps toward third and feints a throw, then turns toward first and feints toward first? He may, from the pitcher’s plate, feint to third. But when he turns toward first, he must step toward first and throw. Correct?
If he steps toward third to faint a throw, and in the process of doing that he disengages the pitcher plate, he can do faint a throw to first or anywhere. The only way to get a balk faking to 3rd and then faking to 1st, is if you do it without ever removing your back foot from the pitcher plate.
Great video, I have mixed answers about the following and am wonder what others think -inside move to 2nd, and then the runners takes off, if the pitcher doesn't throw to 2nd but is able to control his body and hold the ball and then run towards the runner and then throws to 3rd for the tag or run down. Would that situation be a balk.
This would not be a balk. You can fake a throw to second using the inside move and are considered to have disengaged once you step towards second with your non-pivot foot, whether you make a throw or not. Additionally, you can actually pick to an unoccupied base so long as it is an attempt to retire a runner OBR 6.02(a)(4), NFHS 6-2-4b. For example, if a runner on seconds steals early, the pitcher can pick to third without needing to disengage.
I get when you're in the game and in the moment, but not a smart idea to yell "thats a balk" before the umpire, it will make them look like they called it because you did. That will create game management issues.
Off topic (sorry) but what kind of stance is that at 6:22? Angle make it tough to say for sure, but looks to at least 4' behind the catcher, who appears to be deep in the box. On top of that, how's he supposed to get a good look at the strike zone if his eyes are on the same plane as the batter's eyes.
Very good job. One comment...at 8:07 when pitcher went to his mouth while in contact with the rubber the penalty is “ALWAYS” a ball ... never a balk. There are 13 actions which constitute a balk and this is not one of them. See OBR rules.
I want to find out interpretations of OBR 6.02(a)(4). The except clause (and the official comment) makes me think a pitcher can lift his front leg and turn around to throw to second if the runner breaks to steal on front leg lift.
I’ve umpired for a few years in little league where balks are about 1-2 years in. Still known to the kids but happens quite a bit. Parents always yell it’s great
at 4:01 is that pitcher considered set? In the video that you recommended that we watch first, the umpire says that a Balk happens after the pitcher is set, with his 2 hands together. Or am I misunderstanding. Is it because he has a foot on the rubber?
Most balks do occur after they come set. But stepping off the rubber wrong can happen at any time. If you are on the rubber without possession of the ball, that is a balk. Dropping the ball is a balk. I think what that guy in that video was saying is that once you do come set, there are only three things you can do. If you do something else, it is a balk. But pre-set balks can happen. If you watch MLB balks, you'll see even more balks that I personally think are overboard and those occur prior to coming set too.
If the umpire judges that the batter caused the balk by doing something intentional or by suddenly stepping out when the pitcher was in the act of pitching, then it's NOT a balk. The offense can not cause a balk. But if the pitcher starts to pitch too soon, and then stops, it's a balk with runners on.
@@davej3781 exactally! the batter is irrelevant for balks so pitchers have to be very careful to not pitch too early because if they balk its still a balk even if the batter is not in the box yet
I know this is two years after the original post, but several times I didn't know we were moving on to the next balk scenario and wasn't paying attention. maybe use a fade or some sort of cut scene to indicate a new scenario has started? otherwise, very fun video.
Thank you for pointing out that the 45° angle when stepping to 1st or 3rd is complete nonsense. Stepping directly to the bag and in front of the throw is what the rule dictates. It's a judgement call (which by rule can not be argued). Quoting random numbers, albeit engraved in "baseball myth" is just a waste of everyone's time.
It's specified in NCAA and is well-accepted "case law" for other codes. If you don't like 45 degrees, which is pretty easy to discern (stepped just as far toward the base as toward home), what nebulous, invisible number would be the upper limit? Five degrees off line? 10? 15? "That's a balk! He stepped 22.4 degrees toward home, and I personally tolerate 22 degrees!" There's a reason the 45 degree standard has long been accepted for real world interpretation.
@@daveh1758 In NFHS it isn't mentioned in the rule book, but it is in the case book. (Not just well-accepted - it's mandated.) 6.2.4 SITUATION B: With R1 on first, F1 attempts a pickoff while stepping at an angle but to the home plate side. RULING: Balk. To comply with the requirement to “step directly toward,” F1 must step to the first-base side of a 45-degree angle between center of pitcher’s plate and between home and first base. (6-2-4b)
@@gil4321 I used the term "well accepted" to describe how everybody involved with the sport understands that's the standard, but I was hoping somebody else would take the time to track down the "case law" found in umpire manuals or case books, so you came through. It's not a myth. It is the rule. Any umpire not using that standard would be fighting a one-man crusade (when he's not arguing with the coaching staff of the pitcher he called a phantom balk on).
THANKS for posting the case book. I am only starting to learn all of the High School differences and I looked but couldn't find it prior to the video going live. It's still going to be a judgement call because there isn't an actual line on the field and no umpire is taking a protractor to the field. The two 45 deg clips in this video I still think are balks. But the video has a better angle then the umpire to see it.
The pitcher must gain distance when attempting a pickoff at 1st or 3rd, that’s how we were taught in umpire clinics, so actually it’s still the old 45 degree just worded differently
I was an Umpire for years in NC high school and USSSA baseball and thanks for the video. Most coaches at the younger levels do not understand the balk. I found coaches who teach the pitchers how to fake the runners with subtle foot moves that when caught would say “I didn’t think that you would catch that.” Not my first rodeo my sons were catchers in college and were drafted in the MLB
4:23 - definite balk. I suppose all balks are judgment calls, but any judgment other than balk is bad judgment. The pitcher must step directly to the base he is throwing to. The 45 degree guidance that some umpires use is generally considered the _maximum_ allowable deviation from a direct step. I'm not getting out my protractor. What I want to see is that the step is primarily and unquestionably _towards_ the base, and critically gains significantly more ground towards the base than home; further if the body seems to move towards home, that's a strong indicator towards a balk. (edit: that all said, this pitcher's step look like about 70 degrees, so it should be a balk no matter what standard, misguided or otherwise, the umpire is applying)
For NFHS, it isn't just word-of-mouth general guidance, It is in the case book, which is binding: 6.2.4 SITUATION B: With R1 on first, F1 attempts a pickoff while stepping at an angle but to the home plate side. RULING: Balk. To comply with the requirement to “step directly toward,” F1 must step to the first-base side of a 45-degree angle between center of pitcher’s plate and between home and first base. (6-2-4b)
@@gil4321 correct, thanks for pointing that out, I admit I was not aware it was in the casebook verbatim like that (I've read quite a lot of the caseplays, I have the 2020 and 2019 casebooks literally 1 foot from me right now, but I hadn't noted that entry). I stand by the bulk of what I said though - a) 45 degrees is the limit, he must clearly step "north" of that 45 degree line. B) I don't have a protractor on the field. C) I'm going to use my judgment of whether the step is primarily and unquestionably towards the base, and resort to the 45 degree judgment if the first judgment leaves me unclear. D) if he moves primarily towards home first, and then steps, I've lost interest in the 45 degree line (but again, I seriously do appreciate learning that the 45 degree interpretation is official)
I agree that the 45 is a guiding principle, but lacks teeth of an actual rule. I read the NFHS guidance in the case book of declaring a balk to anyone on the home side of that line. His upper body might be committed to 1B, but his step is to home ... balk. If on the 1B side of the line, it *may* be a legal move. But, if the entire motion is home and F1's right leg is at 42-deg ... that's a balk. His motion is home, so he's not making a step directly toward 1B, regardless of being on the good side of the 45 deg line. I read the guidance as, "If F1 is on the home side of 45 deg, then it's a balk." The compliance part isn't comprehensive. To comply with the direct step to the base rule, F1 *at least* has to be on the good side of 45 deg ... but he may have to do more than that, as well. It's not a binary test.
1:45 sure looks like his foot went backwards behind the rubber which make it not a balk. But the zoomed out camera makes it hard to tell where his foot actually ended up.
I kinda consider my self a pro at the balk rule right now being to the fact that I got it called on me 3 times in the span of 2 innings in my all-star game last year for not pausing when I got set. So therefore I'm practically a expert! Lol😂🤦
Just a question, I’m an assistant coach for a very young little league team. One of our kids learned from him parents to always pitch from the stretch for some reason. While in the stretch, he sets and takes a step back with his free foot as part of his wind up then throws pushing that foot forward.. that seems like a balk to me, is that a balk?
@@dangerclose697 This I see sometimes. With no runners on I'll allow it, but with a runner on base it's a balk. If he is in the stretch, then he must pitch like he is in the stretch. Stepping first toward a base means he's attempting a pick off and he has to complete that throw. Once doesn't, it's a balk.
Balk Instructional Video: th-cam.com/video/tFYoSqmEizE/w-d-xo.html
I used to have a book of baseball quotes when I was younger. Plenty of Yogi Berra material in the book. And a few good ones from MLB umpires. I remember one in particular, but I can't recall who said it. But he was a pretty well known umpire. The quote was something like, "I never called a balk in a game. Because I never understood the rule". I can spot some of the balks in this video, and I even understand why. But the rule is kind of hard to understand I think because there were a few in here that just looked like a pitcher winding up and pitching. His glove was going down as his leg was going up? Don't pitchers wind up in that way all the time? With my non-understanding of the balk rule I would be calling a balk on Hideo Nomo every pitch because he pauses at the top. It's a silly rule that needs to be simplified.
for the clip starting at 8:58, wouldn't there be a balk at first because the first baseman appears to be off the field of play when the pitcher starts his windup
@@guymcman2806 First, you were really observant by realizing the first baseman was not in fair field. However, being the ball "life", if the pitcher starts the windup having a fielder out of the fair zone, you get automatically a balk. Rule 5.02. So, this is another double balk clip.
@@eduardovaldes8455 That's a rule about the catcher leaving the catcher box before the pitch. There's no rule that makes a 1st baseman outside the foul line a balk. If the umpire notices it, he should correct it. Otherwise there is no penalty I'm aware of.
@@MH-Tesla To my understanding, all players in fielding positions shall be in fair territory, except the catcher (who shall be inside the catcher box) at the time the pitcher starts delivering movements.
“It’s only a balk if the ump says it is.”
No truer words gave ever been spoken.
I’ve Umpired now for years and so I’m always looking for good material. You’ve earned my subscription with this video alone.
Angel Hernandez why’d you change your last name lmfao
Thanks!
Are you good if so please come to my games
@@Person-ql1qx I'm actually pretty good. I have done a couple of USSSA world series qualifiers and was very successful. Just hit me up and I'll be there.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!? ARE YOU BLIND?
I am _so_ sorry, it's just kind of second nature to yell that kind of stuff at umpires. The condition is called "Baseball Tourette's Syndrome". It affects most players, and we don't even realize we're doing C'MON BLUE, FIGURE IT OUT!
Again, I apologize.
This video is the best teaching aid I have found for not just showing, but also explaining why the pitcher balked. I made it mandatory that all the pitchers on my team watch this video. Thank you again for posting this.
I’ve called for years, and this as by far one of the best explanation videos I’ve watched.
As an umpire I have to thank you for how you approached the umps well done sir
the balk at 1:50 - the key to understand is that a jump-turn is NOT considered stepping off, because the pitcher was engaged to the rubber _when_ _the_ _motion_ _started_ and therefore he is still a pitcher and is governed by what pitchers may do (step and throw directly to a base for the purpose of making a play, or legally feint to 2B or 3B (feint to 3B only in some rulesets)). If a pitcher wants to become a fielder, he must clearly step off *first* to become a fielder, and then he can do (mostly) whatever he pleases.
If your explanation is correct, thank you. I was about to ask why the jump turn didn't count as stepping off; he certainly didn't maintain contact with the rubber.
@@kevinlehde2650 it's something I didn't understand for a good couple of years when I first advanced past LL majors. you don't see a jump turn without a throw very often, so you can slip by not knowing for awhile.
You are correct and I called a balk on this during a HS summer league game. Coach tried to argue that he stepped off first and therefore did not need to complete the throw to first. I was the only umpire so I suppose it's possible that he did, but it sure looked like a jump turn to me so I called it.
@@larrykramer2761 If it is a jump-turn, meaning one move, then it is not considered stepping off, regardless of where that pivot foot lands on the jump turn. He has to throw to first if that's the move.
A quality instructional video for really any youth umpire and even lesser experienced high school level umpires. The biggest two items I like to focus on when I do training in our association are obstruction and the more common versions of interference, but balks are right after that. Well done and hope you continue to put together these videos.
Yes, please make a part 2.
I wish a lot more coaches were as understanding as the one with the pitcher who’s foot crossed the back of the rubber and then threw to first. When it’s only one umpire from behind the plate you are never gonna see that. I had to eject a coach for going nuts after I said I can’t see that from back there (behind the plate), and he just would not drop it.
Also, youth teams like 11u and younger we will discuss at the plate meeting if they want a warning first and I will always tell both coaches, “at this age it has to be very obvious and basically trick the runner for me to call even a warning.” and 99% of the time they are just fine with it. As long as you have a great plate meeting, you can avoid pretty much everything that youth coaches get upset about.
For some reason I've caught that one more than some of the others.
If a coach excepts u to call a balk for crossing over in a one man system, they are spectators not coach's. Just smile and move to the next game..
Good Plate meetings can really set the tone for your games as an Umpire
All coaches should take the time to watch these videos, great explanations of rules.
Good real world examples with good commentary, especially for younger leagues where you see a lot more stuff than with older ages. Younger leagues is when they (and we) are learning the most!
`I think this is the best way to teach all these subtilities for people new with balk. Thanks and great work!
I like posts like this. It's all review, but it is very helpful, especially in the off season when we can lose our edge by not calling games.
As an umpire, I enjoy watching your videos. You are a rarity (a coach that knows the rule). For the first time, I have to disagree with something you said. A move is either legal or illegal. Just because he does it every time does not make it legal. In your example, I could argue that it was one continuous motion and not illegal. At that instance, as long as he continually moves toward home plate, it is legal. That being said, I would call a balk "judging" that he stopped and started. Most all balks are either "Start/Stop", "No Step", or "No Stop" (or pause). Keep posting videos!
I just removed that comment from the video. once TH-cam processes it with that clip removed, your comment won't make sense because it's no longer in the video. I think you are correct and I hate making an error in these types of videos.
Getting ready for the 2021 season and this was a great reminder, especially since we didn't have a HS season here in Ohio last year!
That sucks that high schoolers' seasons got canceled. They should've still let y'all play...
MJH, great video, well done and you _know_ we always love your witty commentary
The balk is one of my favorite little aspects of the game. I've only seen it in youth ball once and it was as a player. 3-0 count and I showed bunt. Pitcher made a complete motion and just decided to not throw the ball to me. At the time I had no idea what that meant. Could they fake a pitch like that? That's when I learned a balk with the bases empty was ruled a ball so I got a free trip to 1st base!
I have to say that this was an extremely well made video on balks in all aspects, Thanks!!!
There might've been an earlier balk then the one @ 1:52 but, you'd need to know a few factors from this specific game before determining whether or not he should or shouldn't have ever even made it to the jump step no throw balk!!
Because @ 1:49 his glove arm clearly twitched or if you're speaking technically then just call it a start & stop, but either way it's still equal to balk!!! Watching it on the replay might make it much easier to see.
One of the last balks the umpire screwed up. He awarded the runner third base when he was steeling second during the balk. Thanks for referencing the balk video that had part in the making of it.
He sent him back
It is always good to look at balks, or any other baseball situation for that matter. It helps to keep one's edge in the off season.
I am rather new to baseball. The sport isn't big in my country. But this rule is so hard for early adapters to see. It is really interesting. Thank you for making this video and learning me what balk means. Because I did not have a clue such thing even existed.
I guess the balk rule is to make it more likely for the runner to have a fair chance at the stolen base. If not for the balk PITCHERS would have a big advantage at keeping the runner on base. Also it keeps the batter from getting erratic pitches.
At 7:09 it looks like R1 is going to 3rd. He was clearly at 1st at what would be considered "time of the pitch" so he should only be awarded 2nd base as R3 is awarded home. PU correctly sends him back to 2nd base.
Very good video (as usual). When I umpired, I was known as "The Balk Umpire". When I played ball, I was pretty fast and stole a lot of bases. So, I was coached on how to read a pitcher and his move, especially toward first, and ran pretty freely. It used to make me so mad that umpires would miss a balk or let a pitcher get away with a "balk move". The one where the pitcher (usually a left hander) would swing his plant foot past the imaginary 45 degree line that ran from the pitcher's rubber to the halfway point of the first base line and then throw to first!! That would drive me crazy because, if he swings that foot out on the home plate side of that 45 degree "line", he is supposed to go home. But, that one is not called a LOT!!
I hate to tell you this but.....you’re wrong. The “ imaginary line” you reference has nothing to do with a 45* angle. The only concern is the foot swinging past the “imaginary line” on the same plane as the leading edge of the rubber. The 45* is in reference to the actual step made by the pitcher to the base and is subject to discretion, as stated, it’s not a rule. The maker of this video obviously got picked off quite a bit by those crafty cheating lefties, it’s easy to see his bias....😂 but I digress, they got me too!
@@kerrytodd3753 I shouldn't have used the term "45 degree line", I should have said "a line that went from the leading edge of the pitcher's plate to the halfway point, 45 feet, of the first base line." If the pitchers plant foot swings in front of that and goes to the base, it's a balk. A lot of pitchers do that and it is missed a lot by umpires. Lefties get away with it ALL THE TIME.
Great Video! Excellent explainations! I've umpired over 20 years and noticed/seen every one of these moves! Called most of them as well! So correct, at the lower levels I'm not calling half of these, you'll be in a LONG GAME if you do.
I am an umpire and like this video a lot!! After a part 2 to this video. Make one explaining a catchers balk I have had multiple catcher balks.
Witch is transferred in to catchers interfere. But mainly explain the catchers balk
Catcher’s balk, in the score sheet is still just a balk, but is a balk caused due to the catcher leaving the catcher's box prior to the pitch or catching the pitch before it reaches the plate. Any pitch that does not pass the foul line or get hit is a balk.
That was an absolutely great video, thank you for this! As an umpire I did miss some of them and its great to have clarification on each one
At 3:14 it could lead one to believe that it is illegal to attempt to throw out an advancing runner directly from the wind-up position without first disengaging the rubber. That would be true under National Federal of High School rules but *not* under OBR (Official Baseball Rules). This pitcher buckles his knee and, technically, that would be a balk - as mentioned in the video. It would be a somewhat picky balk considering the age level of the pitcher and the slightness of the "buckle." What makes it a *definite* balk is that the pitcher actually begins his delivery (by moving his left foot towards the plate) and *then* aborts that delivery in order to make a play on the runner.
Under OBR, it would be perfectly legal for a pitcher, in the wind-up position, to directly throw to 2nd when the runner on 1st breaks for 2nd without first disengaging the rubber. This is not considered throwing to an unoccupied base because the runner on 1st is advancing to 2nd. The pitcher is allowed to make a play on an advancing runner.
In the wind-up position, like the set position, the pitcher has only three choices: 1) pitch, 2) step off or 3) make a play on a runner. Under high school rules, in the wind-up position, the pitcher only has two choices: 1) pitch or 2) step off.
I think this was a great video and extremely helpful all around, as I played from a youth high level to a high level before tearing my shoulder twice...needless to say as a closing pitcher I could not ever take a chance of a balk, but the higher I got the more random or umpired favoured calls became balks. For example the licking of fingers or actually touching your face whatsoever while on the mound is a balk, not just on the rubber.
I find it extremely hard to watch some Major League players pitch as they will balk over and over, it’s frustrating and they’re never called which is not teaching the youth coming up.
The biggest one I see is the pitcher in stretch, runner on first and the pitcher lifts their front foot but then sets it down again although they’ve committed to throwing to the plate already!
REMEMBER THIS IS YOUTH BASEBALL AND BOTH PLAYERS AND COACHES AND EVEN UMPIRES ARE LEARNING ABOUT BALKS. SO IF YOUR AN EXPERIENCE UMPIRE YOU MAY SEE BALKS THAT NOBODY ELSE MAY SEE BUT I WOULD ONLY CALL THE OBVIOUS ONES OR YOU'LL HAVE A LONG LONG GAME.
yes, the "No C.S.B's rule"
Very good examples of balls. I had the hardest time as an umpire calling balls on the jr high and high school level because the coaches were not educated on balks themselves. Of course, I was less strict in the lower levels, but at the high school level, the coaches should be well educated on the ball rules.
Excellent video. In my umping days I found myself educating a lot for the younger kids. By time they are in high school though they should know what they are doing.
A move that I did in high school was extremely borderline but worked insanely well because of the illusion I gave off.
-1st and 3rd worked best, but could be used if a runner could advance to any base.
-Set up in the windup, but stepped off with my right foot but would be as close to the rubber as possible
-However, I go through the motion as a left hander in a fluid motion from stepping off.
As a runner I love watching the pitcher hesitate a little because I’m off and I have a good coach and he will go until he makes sure the umps make the right call
This was a good video. Talk about a million things to be watching for.
If you ain’t never seen a lefty pic successfully with that move, you just ain’t been around enough baseball. I’ve seen it numerous time…..nice videos as always.
Excellent explanation MJH. Loved watching these, and "any other witty commentary" you applied. LOL
So this year, MLB is experimenting with some rule changes in the minors, and one of them is to require the pitcher to disengage the rubber with is pivot foot before throwing to any base. This would eliminate most of these lefthander's moves to 1B (and the 45-degree judgement in the process), as well as the inside move to 2B. Don't know if it'll go anywhere beyond this season, but it requires pitchers to unlearn some thing they've been doing for a long time.
at 5:30 its a balk even if its the normal delivery. You cant step towards home twice when throwing. If you look closely the pitcher stepped twice, and that is an illegal pitching motion also.
I just removed from the video that comment I said about his normal delivery. once TH-cam processes it with that clip removed, your comment won't make sense because it's no longer in the video. I think you are correct and I hate making an error in these types of videos.
Yes absolutely make a part 2
At about 3:10 your comment about throwing to second from the windup seems misleading. This is one of the rules that varies at different levels and in different rulebooks, but throwing to a base from the windup is LEGAL even if rare in some books (including LL and MLB). The problem with the windup in those cases is not that you cannot hold the runner on but that the windup motion itself takes too much time and gives the runner a big jump. (This is mentioned in the same video that you've linked with the umpire explaining the balk.) To be sure the pitcher at 3:10 did balk with the first false step. It's just your concluding comment that he committed "worse" balk by throwing to second that's either wrong or, at least, not necessarily true depending on the rule book governing play in the league.
Yes. He did though step with his left foot first. Had he not buckled his right knee and not stepped forward with the left foot, BUT instead just turned to throw to second from the windup, he's not balking...although, it's going to be umpire judgement. If the umpire believes his first move matches his first move when pitching, he can call that a balk too. Best to just never pitch from the windup with runners on.
Regarding the case starting at 7:55, maybe youth ball is different, but in MLB (and college i think), this is not a balk, though it is still illegal. MLB Rule 6.02(a) Balks does not make mention to going to the mouth at all. But Rule 6.02(c) says it results in a warning, then a ball. It reads:
The pitcher shall not:
(1) While in the 18-foot circle surrounding the pitcher’s plate, touch the ball after touching his mouth or lips, or touch his mouth or lips while he is in contact with the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher must clearly wipe the fingers of his pitching hand dry before touching the ball or the pitcher’s plate
PENALTY: For violation of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately remove the ball from play and issue a warning to the pitcher. Any subsequent violation shall be called a ball.
You are correct.
The video you reference in your intro is great. Am I correct in thinking that an ump should yell ‘balk’ as it happens, but not stop play until the play ends, at which time he’ll really point out the balk? This is because if the pitcher delivers and the hitter crushes one or if he throws it away on a pickoff attempt or something it’s almost like a football team declining the penalty - they’ll take the play.
That is correct, EXCEPT in High School rules. In the high school rules, a balk is an immediate dead ball.
1:45 According to the National Federal High School rulebook of 2020 , "Any FEINTING toward the batter or first base, or any dropping of the ball (even though accidental) and the ball does not cross a foul line" is considered a balk. There is no definition of a feint in the rulebook but anyone with access to a dictionary knows that the defintion given to a feint is "A pretended blow, thrust or other movement" this word being prodominantly found in boxing and fencing. So, with this in mind the pitcher must fake a THROW in order to balk because it is a deceptive movement. The speed at which a pitcher disengages the rubber has no bearing on the ruling of a balk.
Love this test video. Missed more than I should, but I'll use the defense of camera clarity...lol. With young
pitchers, the discernible stop is the main thing to work out with them. Eager to throw vs throw only after stop.
This may have been mentioned but I am not going to sift through 400 comments. You mentioned the mythical 45° rule. In NFHS it is not spelled out in the rule book as you mentioned but it is in the case book. Great video though. If you have more like this I’d love to see them.
I'm not a pitcher but was pretty good at stealing bases. it's nice to hear commentary about why a particular move is a balk.
for a long time I could not articulate why a move was a balk this is good use of youtube.
it also doesn't shame pitchers for not knowing better. I like that.
Keep these coming. Thank you.
This is a great video. Some of these balk are quite subtle. If you can get more balk calls throwing to second would be much appreciate it since balks to 2nd normally don’t happen. Thanks again for the video
In the NFHS casebook, which is to be taken as part of the rules, it explicitly defines "stepping directly towards" as being the base-side of a 45° line (6.2.4 Situation B). OBR makes no such clarification, instead they require "direction" and "distance", which isn't very helpful.
Unrelated, when there are no runners on base a pitching infraction is an illegal pitch, not a balk.
Last I checked jumping off and stepping off are the same as long as the back foot leads. It’s only if they step forward to the base in front of them that they can’t fake a throw.
In order to fake throw to first they must first disengage the rubber by stepping back with the pivot for first. If they just the jump spin move they must throw.
Why do I feel like a bunch of umpires are watching these videos but not coaches? I’ve been down the rabbit hole watching close call videos all weekend, would be great if the coaches were too. Excepted are all of you coaches who are watching...from the bottom of my heart, thank you for watching.
Is that a balk at the 1:51 mark ? His back foot did come off and behind the rubber. He doesn’t throw over but I believe doesn’t have to if his foot is behind the rubber.
If he makes the spin pickoff attempt, the foot is off but in front of the rubber and then fakes the throw, that is then a balk.
But he can fake the throw if the foot is behind the rubber, right ?
I have a question. There is this one pitcher in my league who does this 6:41, but he lifts his glove and arm in a T angle when lifting the leg, then he pitches. Is this a balk?🤔
I believe that if he normally does it as a windup, no, but if it’s a new thing right out of the blue, then it will be considered a balk if there’s a runner on base.
The leg can not stop moving and just hang there. T-posing like the Karate Kid is a balk.
Very good job explaining and teaching the most misunderstood part of baseball. Where do you get all these clips from?
From four years of coaching. Started recording in 2016 and have over 200 games on a 5 TB external drive. I started recording so I could score the game correctly after the fact because our score keepers were inconsistent.
@ 2:00 is it a deliberate step behind the rubber, or does that pivot foot landing behind the rubber determine the state of the pitcher? Because major leaguers have done that pop to the toe on back of the rubber to fake and throw.
Stepping behind the rubber needs to be direct and obvious. This move, even if the back foot technically was being the runber is not considered disengaging the rubber. Mlb umpires have also called this a balk.
@@MH-Tesla Okay - thank you for explanation. I was wondering that myself.
Great job! Thanks for posting. Can’t wait for part 2.
As an umpire...if you are working the plate, for your own safety, please do not stick out your hand from behind the plate or remove your mask until the pitcher stops. Even though you verbally call the balk, the pitcher still may deliver the pitch and your exposed body parts are now vulnerable. I have seen it happen. Simple say 'that's a balk' for all to hear and then get back in to your plate stance. Once everything has stopped, you can repeat yourself, point at the pitcher---"that's a balk," and then award the bases. Even if the hitter does hit a pitched ball, you can immediately declare the ball dead, bring notice to the balk and award bases. This also will help you IF the league or level you are working does not use the 'balk is a dead ball' rule. I used to work high school and college ball---a balk is a dead ball in HS and in college--as pro ball, if all runners including the batter runner advance one base safely, the balk is ignored.
This was a great video with great breakdowns and explanations. Good job sir. Subscribed
The 3rd or 4th clip pitcher in red shirt actually balked before it was called for the fake throw to first. Look at the 1:59-2:00 mark and you can see him hesitate
I have a question if a pitcher has his hands together as bends forward to get the song and comes up to set position with hands together is that a balk.
I really enjoyed your video. Great explanation and instruction. Just subscribed!
As a lefty, when picking someone off at first, especially in high school that 45° he talked about is actually closer to like 10° so you gotta be really careful.
This is great! When is the penalty base awarded? Does the batter go to first automatic?
It's only a balk when a runner(s) is on base. Otherwise it's an illegal pitch and just a ball on the batter.
If it's ball 4 (on the batter) he'll get first base.
If a balk is called (with a runner(s) on base) that pitch doesn't count, and the base runner(s) will advance 1 base. (example: the count is 2 balls, 1 strike with a runner on first. The pitcher balks. Runner goes to second, the count remains 2 balls 1 strike with the runner on second)
Yes, it was nice and instructive watching this.
Thanks
(There's nice 3rd base pick-off move my dad had - not something here at all )
But balks are explained/shown nicely here.
Thanks
Once I graduated from coach pitch little league, I was in the middle of a pitch when the home plate umpire threw hos hands in the air and screamed a word I had never heard before. I thought I knew a lot about baseball, but clearly didn't.
If we don't have rules, and umpires to enforce them, then we don't have baseball. So, thank you umpires for making baseball possible.
Great footage put together and great info.
In NFHS ( high school rules ) am I correct in saying that if a right handed pitcher, from the pitcher’s plate, steps toward third and feints a throw, then turns toward first and feints toward first?
He may, from the pitcher’s plate, feint to third. But when he turns toward first, he must step toward first and throw. Correct?
If he steps toward third to faint a throw, and in the process of doing that he disengages the pitcher plate, he can do faint a throw to first or anywhere. The only way to get a balk faking to 3rd and then faking to 1st, is if you do it without ever removing your back foot from the pitcher plate.
At 5:20 is that a balk because you are considering the toe touch to be a step?
Great video, I have mixed answers about the following and am wonder what others think -inside move to 2nd, and then the runners takes off, if the pitcher doesn't throw to 2nd but is able to control his body and hold the ball and then run towards the runner and then throws to 3rd for the tag or run down. Would that situation be a balk.
This would not be a balk. You can fake a throw to second using the inside move and are considered to have disengaged once you step towards second with your non-pivot foot, whether you make a throw or not.
Additionally, you can actually pick to an unoccupied base so long as it is an attempt to retire a runner OBR 6.02(a)(4), NFHS 6-2-4b. For example, if a runner on seconds steals early, the pitcher can pick to third without needing to disengage.
I get when you're in the game and in the moment, but not a smart idea to yell "thats a balk" before the umpire, it will make them look like they called it because you did. That will create game management issues.
Very good video. Detect balks is really a not so easy task.
I got a question if if pitching and runner on first takes off can I do the inside move a nog him
Great reference video as an ump, great explainations
great video and a great format.
Off topic (sorry) but what kind of stance is that at 6:22? Angle make it tough to say for sure, but looks to at least 4' behind the catcher, who appears to be deep in the box. On top of that, how's he supposed to get a good look at the strike zone if his eyes are on the same plane as the batter's eyes.
This was an excellent instructional video.
Very good job. One comment...at 8:07 when pitcher went to his mouth while in contact with the rubber the penalty is “ALWAYS” a ball ... never a balk. There are 13 actions which constitute a balk and this is not one of them. See OBR rules.
You are correct and the video here is NOT correct. Good catch. Wish I could change the audio after I post something.
I want to find out interpretations of OBR 6.02(a)(4). The except clause (and the official comment) makes me think a pitcher can lift his front leg and turn around to throw to second if the runner breaks to steal on front leg lift.
Good training and refresher video!
Excellent material for learning!!!
I’ve umpired for a few years in little league where balks are about 1-2 years in. Still known to the kids but happens quite a bit. Parents always yell it’s great
at 4:01 is that pitcher considered set? In the video that you recommended that we watch first, the umpire says that a Balk happens after the pitcher is set, with his 2 hands together. Or am I misunderstanding. Is it because he has a foot on the rubber?
Most balks do occur after they come set. But stepping off the rubber wrong can happen at any time. If you are on the rubber without possession of the ball, that is a balk. Dropping the ball is a balk. I think what that guy in that video was saying is that once you do come set, there are only three things you can do. If you do something else, it is a balk. But pre-set balks can happen. If you watch MLB balks, you'll see even more balks that I personally think are overboard and those occur prior to coming set too.
Now I have a question for you if the pitcher balks while the batter is preparing in the box is it a balk?
If the ball isn't dead, yes it is a balk.
balks are infractions committed against the runner(s), so the status of the batter is irrelevant
If the umpire judges that the batter caused the balk by doing something intentional or by suddenly stepping out when the pitcher was in the act of pitching, then it's NOT a balk. The offense can not cause a balk. But if the pitcher starts to pitch too soon, and then stops, it's a balk with runners on.
@@MJHBaseball thank you and love your videos keep up the good work😀
@@davej3781 exactally! the batter is irrelevant for balks so pitchers have to be very careful to not pitch too early because if they balk its still a balk even if the batter is not in the box yet
I know this is two years after the original post, but several times I didn't know we were moving on to the next balk scenario and wasn't paying attention. maybe use a fade or some sort of cut scene to indicate a new scenario has started? otherwise, very fun video.
Very good observation. Vol 2 was MUCH better edited.
Thank you for pointing out that the 45° angle when stepping to 1st or 3rd is complete nonsense. Stepping directly to the bag and in front of the throw is what the rule dictates. It's a judgement call (which by rule can not be argued). Quoting random numbers, albeit engraved in "baseball myth" is just a waste of everyone's time.
It's specified in NCAA and is well-accepted "case law" for other codes.
If you don't like 45 degrees, which is pretty easy to discern (stepped just as far toward the base as toward home), what nebulous, invisible number would be the upper limit? Five degrees off line? 10? 15? "That's a balk! He stepped 22.4 degrees toward home, and I personally tolerate 22 degrees!"
There's a reason the 45 degree standard has long been accepted for real world interpretation.
@@daveh1758 In NFHS it isn't mentioned in the rule book, but it is in the case book. (Not just well-accepted - it's mandated.)
6.2.4 SITUATION B: With R1 on first, F1 attempts a pickoff while stepping at an angle but to the home plate side. RULING: Balk. To comply with the requirement to “step directly toward,” F1 must step to the first-base side of a 45-degree angle between center of pitcher’s plate and between home and first base. (6-2-4b)
@@gil4321 I used the term "well accepted" to describe how everybody involved with the sport understands that's the standard, but I was hoping somebody else would take the time to track down the "case law" found in umpire manuals or case books, so you came through.
It's not a myth. It is the rule. Any umpire not using that standard would be fighting a one-man crusade (when he's not arguing with the coaching staff of the pitcher he called a phantom balk on).
THANKS for posting the case book. I am only starting to learn all of the High School differences and I looked but couldn't find it prior to the video going live. It's still going to be a judgement call because there isn't an actual line on the field and no umpire is taking a protractor to the field. The two 45 deg clips in this video I still think are balks. But the video has a better angle then the umpire to see it.
The pitcher must gain distance when attempting a pickoff at 1st or 3rd, that’s how we were taught in umpire clinics, so actually it’s still the old 45 degree just worded differently
I want to compliment you for your excellent video!
Great video.
Keep making these
I was an Umpire for years in NC high school and USSSA baseball and thanks for the video. Most coaches at the younger levels do not understand the balk. I found coaches who teach the pitchers how to fake the runners with subtle foot moves that when caught would say “I didn’t think that you would catch that.” Not my first rodeo my sons were catchers in college and were drafted in the MLB
Thank you. I learned new stuff about bawks
More coaches really need to LEARN the balk rule...do more vids.
Volume 3 is coming out soon
New balk video just posted.
4:23 - definite balk. I suppose all balks are judgment calls, but any judgment other than balk is bad judgment. The pitcher must step directly to the base he is throwing to. The 45 degree guidance that some umpires use is generally considered the _maximum_ allowable deviation from a direct step. I'm not getting out my protractor. What I want to see is that the step is primarily and unquestionably _towards_ the base, and critically gains significantly more ground towards the base than home; further if the body seems to move towards home, that's a strong indicator towards a balk. (edit: that all said, this pitcher's step look like about 70 degrees, so it should be a balk no matter what standard, misguided or otherwise, the umpire is applying)
same comments for 8:40
For NFHS, it isn't just word-of-mouth general guidance, It is in the case book, which is binding:
6.2.4 SITUATION B: With R1 on first, F1 attempts a pickoff while stepping at an angle but to the home plate side. RULING: Balk. To comply with the requirement to “step directly toward,” F1 must step to the first-base side of a 45-degree angle between center of pitcher’s plate and between home and first base. (6-2-4b)
@@gil4321 correct, thanks for pointing that out, I admit I was not aware it was in the casebook verbatim like that (I've read quite a lot of the caseplays, I have the 2020 and 2019 casebooks literally 1 foot from me right now, but I hadn't noted that entry). I stand by the bulk of what I said though - a) 45 degrees is the limit, he must clearly step "north" of that 45 degree line. B) I don't have a protractor on the field. C) I'm going to use my judgment of whether the step is primarily and unquestionably towards the base, and resort to the 45 degree judgment if the first judgment leaves me unclear. D) if he moves primarily towards home first, and then steps, I've lost interest in the 45 degree line
(but again, I seriously do appreciate learning that the 45 degree interpretation is official)
I agree that the 45 is a guiding principle, but lacks teeth of an actual rule. I read the NFHS guidance in the case book of declaring a balk to anyone on the home side of that line. His upper body might be committed to 1B, but his step is to home ... balk.
If on the 1B side of the line, it *may* be a legal move. But, if the entire motion is home and F1's right leg is at 42-deg ... that's a balk. His motion is home, so he's not making a step directly toward 1B, regardless of being on the good side of the 45 deg line.
I read the guidance as, "If F1 is on the home side of 45 deg, then it's a balk." The compliance part isn't comprehensive. To comply with the direct step to the base rule, F1 *at least* has to be on the good side of 45 deg ... but he may have to do more than that, as well. It's not a binary test.
1:45 sure looks like his foot went backwards behind the rubber which make it not a balk. But the zoomed out camera makes it hard to tell where his foot actually ended up.
It's cool to see ball fields I have worked. (West Michigan)
I kinda consider my self a pro at the balk rule right now being to the fact that I got it called on me 3 times in the span of 2 innings in my all-star game last year for not pausing when I got set.
So therefore I'm practically a expert! Lol😂🤦
Big Help, Thanks so much.
EXCELLENT video.... thanks.
Awesome explanations
Just a question, I’m an assistant coach for a very young little league team. One of our kids learned from him parents to always pitch from the stretch for some reason. While in the stretch, he sets and takes a step back with his free foot as part of his wind up then throws pushing that foot forward.. that seems like a balk to me, is that a balk?
He comes set, then takes a step back? That's a balk.
Garrett Webster yep, that’s what I thought, no team has called him out on it yet, but I see this as a bad habit for the future
@@dangerclose697 This I see sometimes. With no runners on I'll allow it, but with a runner on base it's a balk. If he is in the stretch, then he must pitch like he is in the stretch. Stepping first toward a base means he's attempting a pick off and he has to complete that throw. Once doesn't, it's a balk.
@@garrettwebster201 one thing to keep in mind. Little League majors and below there are no balks as runners can't lead off.