Batter’s Actions Cause Pitcher to Balk On July 11, 2017, the Rockies hosted the D’backs. In the bottom of second, the Rockies had Ian Desmond on first and Gerardo Parra on third with two outs and Tony Wolters at bat facing Jorge De La Rosa. Wolters asked for a “late” time out which was not […]
If a manager wants to challenge multiple situations in the same play, what is the proper way to have the field umpires communicate this to the Command Center? The manager should tell the field umpires the situations he wants challenged. It should be done in layers at the same time. Does a tag attempt […]
The Carolina Mudcats (Brewers) executed the hidden ball trick, one of baseball’s oldest ruses, when they hosted the Buies Creek Astros of the Class A Advanced Carolina League on May 3. In the top of the seventh inning, the Astros, with runners on first and second, pulled off a successful double steal when the Mudcats’ […]
You cannot assume your players know even the most basic rules. Take what happened at Fenway Park on May 1, 2018, when the Red Sox hosted the Royals. In the top of the 10th inning with the score tied 3-3, the Royals had runners on first and second and two outs when Sox catcher Christian […]
Gausman Called For Balk By rule, the pitcher is charged with a balk while in contact with the rubber when he throws to the first baseman or third baseman who is either in front of or behind the base and obviously not making an attempt to retire the runner at that base. Several years ago […]
Controversial Balk Call The Phils and Braves met in Philadelphia on April 22. In the top of the fourth inning, the Braves had Brandon Phillips on second base and two outs when Phils’ right-hander Jerad Eickhoff was called for a balk by umpire Tripp Gibson. After Phillips broke for third base, Eickhoff, a right-hander, made […]
By rule, the pitcher is charged with a balk while in contact with the rubber when he throws to the first baseman or third baseman who is either in front of or behind the base and obviously not making an attempt to retire the runner at that base. Several years ago the rule was only […]
In recent years, several pitchers have gone to a modified set/windup position by positioning their pivot foot on the rubber and their free foot in front of the rubber. This can be especially confusing to the runner. Because of this, MLB invoked the following rule revision for the 2017 season. SET VS. WINDUP POSITION Rule […]
What You Don’t Know About the Hidden Ball Trick One of baseball’s rarest plays, the hidden ball trick, is simultaneously gratifying and embarrassing. If you’re the fielder who pulls off this bit of defensive magic, it becomes one of the more satisfying moments of the season. If you’re the embarrassed runner, well, there is no […]
(In the windup) -The pitcher shall stand with his chest and shoulders generally facing the batter. Penalty: Warning on the first offense; Ball/balk (Illegal pitch) for subsequent offenses by any pitcher who enters the game. [OBR 5.07a1: (In the windup) -The pitcher shall deliver while facing the batter. Penalty: Ball/balk.]