I've never seen a catcher's balk. I'm not sure if there really is one. I don't believe the rule as you state it actually exists.

 

The only time a balk can be called regarding the catcher is:

 

1. runner on 3rd attempting to score on a steal or squeeze and the catcher comes in FRONT of the plate prior to having the ball

 

2. catcher jumping out of the box before the pitch on an intentional walk

 

3. catcher interferes with a batter on a play where there is a steal.

 

I don't believe that there is an argument for the offense on the play that happened in the BW game. There is no rule that I can find that says the catcher cannot catch the ball outside of the catcher's box.

 

Can you give me a rule number?

 

You can have a catcher's balk on any play, and you already answered your own question per this discussion.

 

See number 2 on your list. The catcher can't leave the box before the pitch on an intentional walk, or any other pitch. Don't ask me for a rule number, I'm not going to look it up, it's the rule though.

VMA - if you were told that a fielder who is not in fair play at the time of pitch results in a balk, that is incorrect. If blue sees this, he stops play and says "get in fair territory." It is not a balk.

 

Same with the catcher - no penalty for lining up outside the box.

 

Sorry, but VMA is absolutely correct. I have seen it called twice and looked it up in the rules. The first and third basemen must have both feet within the field of play when the pitch is delivered. Just because it isn't called very ofter does not mean it's the rule.

You can have a catcher's balk on any play, and you already answered your own question per this discussion.

 

See number 2 on your list. The catcher can't leave the box before the pitch on an intentional walk, or any other pitch. Don't ask me for a rule number, I'm not going to look it up, it's the rule though.

 

That is a true statement and also applies to all fielders. i.e. A 1st baseman must have at least one foot in play during the pitch. example, if while attempting to hold a runner on 1st base, the fielder has both feet in foul territory it would be a fielder's balk. I understand that's not going to happen very often, but it's just an illustration of the rule. Same with Catcher, he must be in the field of play (Catcher's box) when the pitch is made. That's why the box is there.

2. catcher jumping out of the box before the pitch on an intentional walk

 

This is what happened. They were anticipating a suicide and threw a pitch out. The catcher jumped out of the "Catcher's box" before the pitch was thrown. This is why you see all catchers stand up with an arm out when they intentionally walk batters.

 

As Play 2 Win stated, this hold true for all players. At least one foot must be in fair territory or any fielder can be called for a balk.

 

This call was a HUGE momentum swinger.

Typically, this occurs when a "pitch-out" is being called and the Catcher, leaves the box too soon. I've only seen it called one time in person and it was by the 1st base umpire, since the homeplate umpire was focused on the pitch and couldn't see if the catcher jumped, prior to the pitch being released.

 

If the balk occurs prior to a pitch being thrown, is not the play "dead" or does the offensive team, have the choice to accept the result of the batter hitting the ball, defensive miscue or play result, that would be my question.

Typically, this occurs when a "pitch-out" is being called and the Catcher, leaves the box too soon. I've only seen it called one time in person and it was by the 1st base umpire, since the homeplate umpire was focused on the pitch and couldn't see if the catcher jumped, prior to the pitch being released.

 

If the balk occurs prior to a pitch being thrown, is not the play "dead" or does the offensive team, have the choice to accept the result of the batter hitting the ball, defensive miscue or play result, that would be my question.

 

No. Dead ball at the time of the balk regardless of the result of the play.

Did anyone see the interview with Beechwood's coach on the news? He was irate about the no-call on this play, and said to the camera "the umpires sukked, and please make sure that you air that on tv." I would be shocked if he is not reprimanded by both his school, and the khsaa.

Did anyone see the interview with Beechwood's coach on the news? He was irate about the no-call on this play, and said to the camera "the umpires sukked, and please make sure that you air that on tv." I would be shocked if he is not reprimanded by both his school, and the khsaa.

I didnt see the interview, but I did see him yelling at the camera...I was wondering if thats what he was talking about.

Did anyone see the interview with Beechwood's coach on the news? He was irate about the no-call on this play, and said to the camera "the umpires sukked, and please make sure that you air that on tv." I would be shocked if he is not reprimanded by both his school, and the khsaa.

 

 

I did not see the interview, but if he did say that he should be reprimanded by the school and the KHSAA. There is no place for that kind of criticism and actions in High School Baseball.

I never blame umpires on a loss and still will not. However, I will say this. If you have one and only one chance to find the four best umpires in the state to call a State Championship game and that is the best the state can come up with...there's a problem. There are always going to be controversial calls, I get that. BUT, in the state finals the umpires should go unnoticed.

 

For the record, this has nothing to do with safe/out or balls/strikes. They're simple baseball rules. In the umps defense (I can't believe I'm defending them) they were being rode so much about keeping players/coaches in the dugout and coaches out of the bullpen that they probably lost focus on the game. BTW, what's up with no coaches in the bullpen? It's high school baseball people. Don't change the rules in the middle of the year...

I never blame umpires on a loss and still will not. However, I will say this. If you have one and only one chance to find the four best umpires in the state to call a State Championship game and that is the best the state can come up with...there's a problem. There are always going to be controversial calls, I get that. BUT, in the state finals the umpires should go unnoticed.

 

For the record, this has nothing to do with safe/out or balls/strikes. They're simple baseball rules. In the umps defense (I can't believe I'm defending them) they were being rode so much about keeping players/coaches in the dugout and coaches out of the bullpen that they probably lost focus on the game. BTW, what's up with no coaches in the bullpen? It's high school baseball people. Don't change the rules in the middle of the year...

Were the coaches warming up the Pitchers, or observing him during warm-ups?

Were the coaches warming up the Pitchers, or observing him during warm-ups?

 

They had a pitcher, catcher and personal protector. The coach was observing behind the pitchers mound. Kind of ridiculous and unnecessary if you ask me. The pitching coaches had to stand in the bleachers to talk to their kids.

I've done some checking . In OBR (MLB for example), its not a rule. I don't know about FED(high school). I'd guess they have the same as OBR.

 

cshs81, In NFHS Rule 6.1.1, the last sentences states that, "The catcher shall have both feet in the catcher's box at the time of the pitch". In 6.1.3, it is stated, "PENALTY (ART.1,2,3): The ball is dead immediately when an illegal pitch occurs. If there is no runner, a ball is awarded the batter. If there is a runner, such illegal act is a balk. In both situations, the umpire signals dead ball. By definition, it is an illegal pitch when the catcher is not in the catcher's box at the time of the pitch. And, I'm pretty sure, it's the same for OBR, I remember Javy Lopez getting one called on him several years ago, and Cox getting tossed because of the call.

They had a pitcher, catcher and personal protector. The coach was observing behind the pitchers mound. Kind of ridiculous and unnecessary if you ask me. The pitching coaches had to stand in the bleachers to talk to their kids.

That is very odd, they would not be allowed in the bullpen.

You can have a catcher's balk on any play, and you already answered your own question per this discussion.

 

See number 2 on your list. The catcher can't leave the box before the pitch on an intentional walk, or any other pitch. Don't ask me for a rule number, I'm not going to look it up, it's the rule though.

 

Sandman,

Your #2 and #3 are actually catcher's obstruction, not a catcher's balk. The difference is that a catcher's balk is an immediate dead ball, and a catcher's obstruction call is a delayed dead ball. In a catcher's obstruction call, it may be ignored (if everyone including the batter advance at least one base), or if there is a play, the offense may decide to accept the play rather than the award.