Balk Whisperer
@balkwhisperer
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Just an umpire trying to educate the world
Joined July 2020
@BauerOutage @BenVerlander Face it, Trevor. You come with a lot of baggage. Is your talent enough to put up with the baggage? So far the answer is no.
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@EStFan1964 @JomboyMedia The movement/bending of the front knee obligates pitcher to throw a pitch. He didn’t. Balk.
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This could not be any more obvious. It’s 1000% INT on Soto.
Juan Soto was called for out interference on this infield fly rule play and Aaron Boone was ejected
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His pivot foot is parallel which means he’s in the windup. If he wants to do that as well as be in the windup he must declare he’s using windup. If he doesn’t it’s a balk as soon as he steps with his non pivot. NCAA has same rule.
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Sets up legally inside base line. Moves with direction of throw. That’s why this was deemed legal.
this angle from ian happ throwing out Pete Alonso is insane man oh my god shoutout the broadcast 🔥🔥
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@TalkinBaseball_ This is not a balk of any sort. It's a lodged ball. Same penalty but not a balk. Don't listen to announcers.
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@MichaelJBier The non-call was correct. If a fielder has to slide to catch the ball it doesn’t meet the requirement of “ordinary effort.”.
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@amblingrambler @JomboyMedia Ramble, you are 100% incorrect. If there is a corner umpire it's his call once the ball reaches the base. 100% of the time. All levels. Plate guy screwed the pooch on this one.
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@dtylermadlock @rsickinger12 @CodifyBaseball That's not a correct interp. Had he started towards the plate and then thrown over it would be a balk. This is legal.
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A couple of good reminders from this video. 1)@JomboyMedia is not an umpire, has no desire to learn rules, has no desire to check on rules. He gets paid to entertain and does it well. 2)This is NOT a balk. The violation is for using detached equipment to stop a pitched ball.
Go-ahead run scored in the 11th inning when the field umpire called a balk on the catcher
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For the record I can’t see how this is legal in MLB.
Nestor with the fake pitch in the middle of his wind-up 💀
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Took umpire a second to process it but this is an immediate dead ball for intentionally dropping the ball.
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@JomboyMedia This is not a catch. Rulebook says defender has to have "voluntary release" of the ball. Good call.
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No umpire with integrity supports this umpire. We understand frustration but you can’t do this. Period.
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@coachzilly @bigdonkey47 Gerry, If R3 is trying to steal on the pitch he's going on first move. If we allowed this move the pitcher would gain an advantage.
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Smart play.
From the Arkansas-Florida game today. With a runner on 3B tagging the Arkansas CF dekes an early catch before he really catches the ball. It triggers the Florida runner to leave early & then return to 3B to retag the base. That gives Arkansas time to throw him out at HP.
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@PitchingNinja Can someone tell me why MLB umps don’t call this a balk ? Specifically the “without interruption “ part? His entire motion comes to a stop. It’s a balk at lower levels.
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Dalton meant to say “ umps are going to abide by the actual rule.”.
Brewers lost 1-0 because of this "batters interference". Think this is absolute BS. The contact happened after the ball got by the catcher. Run should've counted. Umps are gonna ump
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When you read that players and coaches know the rules…. That’s a myth. Just like “intentionally deceive” is required for a balk.
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@snidog This is type 2. Umpire decides if it was likely runner could have advanced. He decided it wasn’t likely. I agree.
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@TheMahiMike @TalkinYanks Incorrect. If they deem it an intentional drop it’s an immediate dead ball and batter out.
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Yo, @kevinburkhardt - pay an umpire to help with rules. ARod is right for plays to first. This play is legal. Can run wherever he likes as long as he’s in the path before the throw. You guys are hurting the cause here by spewing incorrect info.
"You cannot review interference or obstruction. Once it wasn't called, they couldn't do it.". The crew breaks down the play from the 2nd inning when Manny Machado got hit by the ball on the throw to second base from Freddie Freeman
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Catchers have to do more than this.
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The pitch was a strike. Had MLB had computers in place it would have been deemed a strike. Never trust the TV box for up/down pitches.
Carlos Mendoza is ejected after Francisco Alvarez was called out on a questionable strike three.
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This is not a catch. Rulebook says player has to have "voluntary release." This is not that. Good call by U2.
Umps didn’t change this call after replay, a catch would’ve ended the game but instead the Brewers tied it
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@Nati_Sports @TalkinBaseball_ Nati, you can blame the rulebook. You can't blame the ump. They got it right.
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@JomboyMedia Folks, 99% sure this has nothing to do with@his unusual motion. Foot lined up in the set position. He used his windup motion. That would be legal IF he declared he was using it. Most likely , he never declared so it’s a balk. Had he declared this would have been legal.
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@OwenMohler @JomboyMedia Any balk is credited to the pitcher. A "catcher's balk" is actually a balk by the pitcher. However, this was not a catcher's balk. It's a detached equipment violation.
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@umpjob This is not new. Angel is enforcing the rules. Pitcher cannot come set until the batter is ready to receive a pitch. He has his faults but this play ain't it.
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Welp. We wrapped up another baseball year tonight (assuming Dbacks don't make a comeback). As always, it's been good discussing the game's rules. Enjoyed the conversation with all. Enjoy the holiday season and we'll get back into when college ball starts in February.
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Why do players/coaches/fans think a player gets to run his mouth and then walk away and umpires can’t respond? They always say “ but he was walking away.” Walking away isn’t a get our ejection free card.
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Fans love bat flips in NCAA baseball. The problem for umpires is that the NCAA does NOT like what often results from bat flips and they've instructed umpires to penalize the action. So when you want to blame the umpires remember we do as we are instructed.
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Correct call.
Umps called INTERFERENCE on this play to end the game as the White Sox had the winning run at the plate
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We’ve all done it.
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This picture is where the runner was when F5 started the tag attempt. By rule he has 3 feet from where he is. Looks odd but I have this as legal.
This baserunner is not out of the baseline running into the infield grass? 😂
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The Machado play running to 2nd is legal IF he got in that lane before Freeman threw the ball. He did.
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Ignore these old dudes (I'm one as well) who shits on baseball today. F them. This has been a really fun season at all levels. Enjoy this post-season like I am.
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In MLB/NCAA if a pitcher puts his foot parallel to the rubber WITH runners on base he is in the SET position. That means he can't take the step back w/his non-pivot foot. He CAN if he declares to the umpire he is using the windup and not the stretch. He didn't declare. Balk.
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@Seth_3773 Interesting. I tell the catcher to ask any time and I’ll get help. No harm. My feelings aren’t hurt if my partner says he went. Sometimes I’m so focused on the location of the pitch that I’m not 100% on the checked swing.
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Me when a coach says the runner was out of the baseline even though there was no tag attempt.
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This is life for an umpire. "wasn't even close."
also how did the ump blow that call, it wasn’t even close.
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Welp. Time to hang it up. Google disagrees. It was a good run.
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Sometimes your reputation bites you in your own ass.
Aaron Boone listened to the umpire and was ejected anyway. You can hear the entire interaction here
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Something I tell new umpires. Most coaches know they deserved to be ejected. It's not personal. They're not going to stay mad. Ran into a coach that I ejected this season this morning at the gym. No issues. Forgotten about. Do what you have to do to keep order.
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Good reminder that the 3 foot rule uses the base PATH and not the base LINE. Path is created from the point of a tag attempt.
One of the more wacky plays you'll see ends with Twins manager Rocco Baldelli being ejected
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Good rules discussion play here. 1. The ball was dead. So no play can happen until the plate umpire makes the ball live. To make it live 3 things have to be in place: pitcher on mound, batter IN box and ready, catcher ready. 1/.
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Lots of replies in this thread think being on the base is a safe haven. It’s not. Runner is out.
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A person who calls games daily explains to a guy who Google’s a rule what the rule really means. Google guy won’t concede that he’s incorrect so continues to argue. Twitter explained in two sentences.
@balkwhisperer @DaleScottMLB5 @_MWBC_ Is an umpires job not to police the game and uphold its rules?. A run is only counted when a runner legally touches 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and home. He did not legally touch home in this case. Why is that so hard to understand?.
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Rarely see this one but I'm good with this call. A myth is the batter has to "make an attempt" to get out of the way. Simple rule used by umpires: Did the ball hit the player or did the player hit the ball? IMO Rizzo moved into it. Note: This is an automatic strike in NCAA.
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Saw folks talking about this. His strike zone is determined based on his body position when he swings. You can see the umpire called this a strike. Does my zone get a little bigger for a player that does this? Off the record? Yes.
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If the pitch crosses plate or foul line it’s legal.
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Can’t be INT if F3 catches the ball.
Umpires ruled Victor Robles safe despite running on the grass down the first base and impeding Andrew Heaney’s throwing lane. The play is not reviewable and Bruce Bochy was ejected from the game.
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@musicman495 @NBCSGiants You have now heard the term but you didn’t see one. It was not a balk. It was a detached equipment violation.
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For those wanting automated ball/strike this was a strike. Never trust TV on up/down.
Kevin Gausman was ejected after arguing this third strike call . 🎥: MLB
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Don’t listen to Jeter.
@balkwhisperer @JaysonAOrtiz “I’ve never seen that happen and not be called for interference” - Derek Jeter.
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No one likes this call but it is correct. Safety rule used by NCAA and high school. You can’t go to the same side of the base as the defender. Straight in or away.
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High school coaches will be showing this video of Trey Yunger busting his ass from left field to backup a ball hit off the center field wall and executing a perfect relay home
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The answer is “ Yes” unless the defense subsequently appeals.
Pitcher caught the ball and doubled off the runner at 1st. Does the run count?
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Lots of rules myths in this thread. A runner can run wherever he wishes on his way to 2nd. 3 foot rule only applies at point of tag attempt. MLB has specific requirements for this play. Good explainer here.
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@Jacoby_27 Jacob, your video shows that the plate umpire made the right call. By rule, you have to get into the running lane at the 45 foot mark. He obviously never did. Had he, his last step would then be legal. This is a correct call.
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@jhog667 John, that's now how the rule works. It's a pitch. The batter has every right to hit the pitch. This is INT on the catcher.
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If I made this call and it got overturned I'd have zero issue with it. If you have to zoom and go super slow then my call was good. Might not be 100% accurate but it was good.
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“Not touching” does not make it foul. If any part of the ball is over the line it’s a fair ball.
Very weird sequence of events as the umpires call this bunt fair as the Yankees try to let it roll foul. Bobby Witt Jr. proceeds to attempt taking second base and gets thrown out
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Umpires love seeing this rotation.
A relay that coaches dream about. A 3rd out at 3rd base in a tied game that coaches will bench your ass for
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This is Type 2 OBS. The rule says umpire waits until play is over and then determines the likelihood of runner advancing if the OBS did not occur. Since F8 got ball in so quickly it was decided he wouldn't have advanced so he stayed at 2nd. Nothing to do with him stopping. 1/.
Any rules experts want to weigh in on this interesting play in Baltimore a bit ago?. Daulton Varsho stole second, throw went into center, Varsho turned to go to third and collided with SS Jorge Mateo. Umpire clearly signaled obstruction, but Varsho didn't see the call and
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In basketball the most misunderstood rule is the travel rule. Last night confirmed that in baseball it’s the 3 foot rule.
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Eye exam today. Need surgery for cataracts in my left eye. Let the jokes begin.
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@TalkinBaseball_ They correctly ruled that he did not have "voluntary release" so it doesn't the "catch" requirement.
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I think we talked about this previously but this again is NOT a "catcher's balk." It's a lodged ball. Same penalty but not a balk.
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First games this weekend. That first squat behind the plate are always tough the next day.
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This rule ALWAYS gets folks wound up. I get it. But the rule is clear. Runner has to get IN the lane at the 45 foot mark. If he does he can then step back inside to touch the base. This runner did not do that. Correct ruling including taking the run off the board.
Oklahoma's run on this play was taken off the board after the batter was called for interference at first base.
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MLB and NCAA rule says that if a pitcher has his foot parallel to the rubber with runners on he is in the stretch position. If so, he cannot take the rocker step. He COULD if he declared ahead of time that he was using the windup instead of the stretch.
The Fightins score their first run on a balk from Sea Dogs pitcher, Helcris Olivarez. Portland leads 2-1.
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Merry Christmas to all. Starting to get the baseball juices flowing again. College games starting to show up on the schedule. Can't wait!.
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Question posed: Isn't the runner out for missing the plate when he enters dugout? No. Umpires never call runner out for missing a base until the defense properly appeals. If they do not appeal it's as if the base was touched.
It it really that hard to step on home plate after hitting a home run?
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NCAA has instructed umpires to NOT grant time unless special circumstances like dirt blowing or bug flies into batter face etc.
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@KevinMcCune @BallySportsCIN @MLBUA @MLB @Reds Kevin, the Giants pitcher executed a common and legal move.
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@TJSmithSocial @BrettHollander @realbenmcdonald In order to be a catch he has to maintain control. He has to show voluntary release. This is not a catch.
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@KeithAtSu @MLBUA Always good when a guy who has never been trained to call pitches not only claims he knows better but then tags @MLB as if some 22 yr old kid monitoring Twitter is going rushing into Manfred’s office.
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No way you can tell from this angle but. EVERYONE wants any curveball that is close to the plate to be a strike. More so than fastballs in the same location.
@mopibaseball @thevicindy @MikeySzatkowski @LCIndiansBball @therealhogand Lake Central wins on a walk-off walk & they are your 2024 4A State Champs. Griffin Tobias punches 9 in 8.1, Blake Sivak provides 3.2 scoreless relief innings to pick up the win.
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Atrocious? When the circle is completely white it’s registered as a strike. So… hardly atrocious. Someone said Judge said “ you’ve been horseshit all game.” Who thinks that’s not getting an ejection.
Aaron Judge was just ejected for the first time in his career by umpire Ryan Blakney after an atrocious strike three call. What an absolute fucking embarrassment MLB umpires have become. This motherfucker should pay serious consequences for this. Remember the name — Ryan Blakney
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This is not a catch.
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Fans want "old school" ball allowed until it's their guy on the receiving end.
Didn’t even notice that slide into home lmfao Garrett Stubbs is such a piece of shit.
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4)You will see lots of people calling this "ump show" or umpire just wanting to show off his knowledge. Umpires call the rules as they're written. There are no caveats. Even if we don't like the rule we call it.
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Rule says catcher cannot come out in front of plate. Catcher INT. Batter to be 1st. Any runner stealing moves up a base. Great recognition by umpire.
@KalenClemmens @jtsum25 @JeffreyRice05 @brady_laubscher @Danny_Mercado25 @jackhu992 Better angle of the final play. Mercado looks clearly out but the catcher was standing in front of the plate before the pitch was thrown. Batter has to have a chance at the pitch. Would have been catcher’s interference if the batter had swung and hit him. #PDPreps
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NCAA day 1: one pitcher balked 4 times and one batter was hit 7 times in a doubleheader. His sub was also hit.
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@JomboyMedia Jomboy, this is where you lose credibility. It wasn't b/c he didn't establish eye contact. It was b/c the batter was not yet looking at the pitcher. Quick Pitch violation.
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Two year anniversary of this classic play. Baez signaling safe gets me every time.
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