Revised January 21, 2015 It is on the Internet, it must be true! Do not consider information provided on the Internet as accurate; unless it has been copyrighted by NFHS. Even then, be aware of the date of the article. Know the difference between NFHS, NCAA and ORB. There are huge differences. Pitching regulations have and always will be a controversial subject. 2 Balks in particular have no easily framed answer. They are defined (R 2.3.) in one sentence as an illegal act committed by the pitcher (F1), but have volumes of articles written about them. Balks are more like an evolving theory with their application changing as the game of baseball continues to evolve. Balks are such an important part of NFHS rules. They are mentioned in most of the sections of the rule book. See Sections: #1- Location of Players at Time of Pitch; # 2- Definition; #3- Dugout Orchestrated Activity to Cause a Pitcher to Balk; #5- Dead Balk When Balk Occurs; #6- Pitching Regulations; and #7- Batter Stepping Out Trying to Cause a Balk. Unlike an active mandatory call such as out or safe, the balk is a passive call not requiring it even to be called. Do not misunderstand, we are not saying don't call balks. This call most likely will be the most controversial decision an umpire will make in any close game. What we want to emphasize is...when you call a balk you must be 100% certain you saw a balk. You will actively generate this call. You could be considered as part of the actual offense because you now have moved runners up into scoring position. 3 How severe is the violation? Is one team placed at a distinct disadvantage. Can the catcher solve the issue? Never call any violation you have allowed to go unnoticed in an earlier innings to now become an issue. Good coaches use pick off moves to hold runners, not so much as to get a pick-off. The chart shows the frequency of balk calls in MLB over the years. 4 Four violations we must recognize and enforce are: Failing to step and gain ground toward an occupied base or unoccupied base A snap throw followed by a step Failing to complete the pitch after engaging the batter with arm movement No discernible stop If your level of experience is only these four simple violations, then let that be your baseline for calling a balk. You owe it to your future crew members and playing teams to better understand pitching requirements. Expand your call range as you better understand the rules and gather mental photos of other balk moves. We all should know within NFHS rules, a balk is not considered a pitch. Therefore any action which occurred after the time of the pitch is disallowed. The ball is dead immediately(R 5.1.1k).The offense does not have the option to take the penalty or play. 5 Example. You have called a balk. Call “TIME”. Hold up your arm, pointing at the pitcher, say “THAT IS A BALK.” Motion to the lead runner to advance, followed by the other runners. What happens next? The defensive coach is heading out to face you. You studied the rules, you are 100% sure of the call. Have confidence in yourself and your call. You should have no second thoughts. Reactions you should expect from coaches. “We have been doing that move all year!” “You’re killing me!” “That's terrible! You are killing my boys!” Pointing to the dirt where the pitcher's foot was. Lots of arm movement/leg lift like a pitcher. He wants you to ask for help. Then expect to hear from the fans, “You are the worst umpire ever!” 6 Pre-game the balk responsibilities with your partner. Who is watching what part of the body? Keep the coach’s face toward the fans during your discussion. Have a signal for your partner to step-in, such as you walking away. Say only a simple one sentence answer to the coach’s first question. Carl Childress once said, “the only balk which can be protested is when the umpire continues to talk and puts his foot in his mouth with an improper rule explanation.” Take the hands-on-knee stance after the pitcher has committed to pitch. Know where the ball is at all times. If you think your plate man might be confused over the location of the pivot foot, show the “off the rubber signal.” Be proactive. Mentally run a scenario. Is this a good time for a pick-off? Do not be the one picked-off by not being aware of when pitching restrictions start. Be sure the ball is live by the plate umpire signaling “play” if it entered a dead ball area. Unfortunately, Federation baseball is the only sport where a coach comes onto the playing surface and voices his displeasure about a call. NFHS has no rule provision which allows this to happen. We as umpires allow this to happen too often. NCAA has made this a major point of emphasis since 2012. A coach’s behavior will be a NFHS point of emphasis for the 2014 season. 7 Never walk toward the coach—allow him to come to you. If he gets in your face, never point a finger or put your arms across your chest nor on your hips. All are signs of aggression. Never draw in the dirt! Never offer a physical display of the move. Never call your partner over for his opinion. This clearly shows your doubt. Remember you followed the rule—never call a balk unless 100% sure. Never offer an explanation of what the move was unless asked. Then make it a simple one-liner explanation such as “player did not step to first.” Never respond to the coach’s second question. He wants the argument to continue. Never allow him to be offensive or abusive. Never allow a coach to have a mound conference with his pitcher after the call unless he is charged. A brief statement or walking by the mound is not a conference. Never allow anyone to come out of the dugout and argue the call if a coach has been restricted prior to the call. He is only allowed outside the dugout to assist an injured player. Never discuss a prior game balk call at your pre-game plate meeting. After you have allowed about one minute for the coach to vent, firmly state, “THE CALL STANDS! LET’S PLAY BALL”. Move away from him. However, if the coach heads towards your partner (who should have moved closer to you to help defuse the situation if it got ugly), he should get a similar response to yours—”LET’S PLAY BALL!” 8 There are only two recognized pitching Windup positions, the windup and the set position position. Each has their own requirements. The restrictions start in either position when the pitcher intentionally takes his signs from the pitcher’s plate. He must take the catcher's signal from the plate. Rationale. The location of the pitcher’s feet shows if he is going to use the windup or set restrictions AND what his next required actions most be. How many times have you seen a pitcher show the windup position to take his signal then start to go to a set position only to make a pick-off move to first base without first disengaging the plate? This would be illegal (CS 6.1.3.k). Set position 9 The pitcher is not restricted how he shall hold the ball. Stand shoulders square to the batter is not required in NFHS (2014 interpretation sit #6). F1 is required to face the batter. Three accepted locations of the pitcher’s hands: Both hands at his side Hands together in front of his body Either hand at side and the other hand in front of his body He is allowed from all three locations to bring his hands together, momentarily come to a stop to adjust the ball, to disengage the plate or to continue with his pitching motion. If he steps onto the pitcher’s plate with both hands apart, when he begins to move both hands simultaneously, that is the start of a pitch. Prior to movements of the arms and legs not associated with his habitual pitching motion, he can remove his cap, shake-off a sign with his glove, and even roll his shoulders. These are considered arm movements not associated with the pitch and not engaging the batter. Head movement is never restricted. The rule states any arm, hip, or Windup Position leg movement toward the plate which is naturally associated with his pitching motion has committed him to complete the pitch in one continuous uninterrupted motion because he now has engaged the batter. See Time of Pitch 10 Batter engagement is at the discretion of the umpire. Ask yourself the following: Was the pitcher's actions an intent to deceive the batter or the runner? Did they place the other team at an unfair disadvantage? UNFAIR ADVANTAGE IS THE KEY TO THE ENTIRE BALK RULE. To exit the windup position once the restrictions are in place, F1 needs to disengage the rubber with his pivot foot prior to separation of his hands and prior to any arm, hip, or leg motion to the plate (CS 6.1.1.d). NFHS does not allow a pitcher to make any move to a base as long as the pitcher is in the windup position on the rubber, even if he has not engaged the batter.