Hi guys I’m answering the question that Ted had posted on the site January 24th. The discussion originated at the Wednesday meeting conducted by Alan M. Ted although agreeing with me asked me to explain it further and under what rules did I base my call on. The situation in summary goes something like this: bottom of seven two outs man on third. The score is tied and the count is three balls and two strikes on the batter. Upon the second strike being called the coach asked for time and conferred with his batter. (Note….this is NOT a varsity game.) As the pitcher wound up the batter then stepped out of the box with both feet and did not request time. In reaction to this the pitcher stopped his delivery. The bench and the head coach yelled balk. After I called time I called the batter out. The explanation is as follows…. Please refer to 2013 baseball CASE book. 6.2.4. That would be the 4th example from the top on page 47. For reasons of clarity I’ll be using the portions of the particular case which apply. It points out stepping out of the box with one foot or two feet. In this case the batter asked for time which was not granted. (In mine the batter did not ask for time) and the pitcher pitched the ball…..sailing over everyone. It’s a strike out by rule but the ball remains live and the batter is safe at first due to the dropped third strike and the run scores. In the case directly below that, the batter steps out with both feet and the pitcher who is in the middle of his motion does not pitch the ball. The umpire calls a strike on the batter for stepping out of the box. As we know there are only a handful of situations where the batter can step out of the box legally with two feet. An important factor is that the “balk is nullified”. Again if the ball was pitched it would be two called strikes. One due to the actions of the batter on the pitch and the other due to the batter delaying by stepping out with two feet. Remember that the umpire if he believes the batter did all this intentionally can toss the batter. Moving on in the case book to 7.3.1 at the very top of page 59 it talks about similar strike calls but comes from a position of delay using the 20 second count. The rule finishes by saying the pitcher does not have to pitch the ball. Again in the case book moving to the “Suspension of Play” rules, see the very first 5.2.1 on page 46. It’s short and to the point and pretty much repeats what was said above. Going to the rule book now 6.2.4.d.1 it covers it all including the ejection and a possible do over. Notice in A the batter only has one foot out and in C it seems as though both feet are in but he holds up his hand for time which is not granted. The book says it’s a do over. If the umpire in his judgment believes the batter did all this (B) in order to deliberately create a balk the batter can be thrown out also. Finally in the rule book 7.3.1.a through h it points out the only reasons under which the batter can leave the box. I see it that there is a lot of support in the rules to make this type of call confidently. I used it to negate a deliberate attempt by the batter to draw the pitcher into a balk. I was not concerned with the 20 second rule in this case although the batter did delay and I certainly could have tossed him given the particular set of circumstances leading up to this action. I hope this helped. Lou
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 11:57:13 +0000
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