I have noticed that many umpires have trouble seeing when a left hander is balking on his move to 1st base. Can any of you guys give me some tips on the base runner reading that move.

Focus on the shoulders.

The head and front leg are deceptive and what most kids watch.

A left hander can't throw to first without taking his back shoulder away from first, loading up to throw. His front shoulder will also tuck to throw over.Back shoulder is the best place to follow.

I have noticed that many umpires have trouble seeing when a left hander is balking on his move to 1st base. Can any of you guys give me some tips on the base runner reading that move.

 

Just wondering if you are an umpire. Maybe they aren`t having trouble but coaches and fans are yelling "BALK" trying to eventually get a call. In most high school games the two man umpire system is used. If this is the case it is very hard to pick up a balk without guessing. If a player is very close to balking he should be okay. Ina three umpire system the balk will almost always get detected.

 

What region are you from and maybe I can put you in touch with someone that can help.

They balk everytime when throwing to first anyway so the best I can do if offer you a 'Good Luck' wish and hope you guess right.

They balk everytime when throwing to first anyway s.

 

They do?

Sure they do. Any movement toward home plate constitutes a pitch, yet they can move part of the way, swing their leg toward home then toward first, etc.

If the left shoulder disappears he is coming to first.

Sure they do. Any movement toward home plate constitutes a pitch, yet they can move part of the way, swing their leg toward home then toward first, etc.

 

But, it'll be called a balk and the runner will be awarded 2nd base.

 

Don't forget, a lefty can also step off backwards and flip the ball over to 1st base.

 

Sounds to me like you've been picked off a time...or two, huh?

But, it'll be called a balk and the runner will be awarded 2nd base.

 

Don't forget, a lefty can also step off backwards and flip the ball over to 1st base.

 

Sounds to me like you've been picked off a time...or two, huh?

It SHOULD be called a balk. Never been picked off by a lefty but have been coaching first base when others have. Almost got tossed from a Babe Ruth league all-star game for my views and observations on the balks that weren't called. A lefty pitching with a runner on first is the baseball equivalent to palming in basketball. It can be called every time if the ref/ump chooses to.

It SHOULD be called a balk. Never been picked off by a lefty but have been coaching first base when others have. Almost got tossed from a Babe Ruth league all-star game for my views and observations on the balks that weren't called. A lefty pitching with a runner on first is the baseball equivalent to palming in basketball. It can be called every time if the ref/ump chooses to.

 

Which rules lead you to believe that it should be a balk?

 

For assistance, here's a link to the MLB Rule Book:

http://www.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/pitcher_8.jsp

Rule 8.05(a) Comment: If a lefthanded or righthanded pitcher swings his free foot past the back edge of the pitcher’s rubber, he is required to pitch to the batter except to throw to second base on a pick-off-play

 

Leftys are always swinging their leg past the edge and it is never called. Why? When an umpire positions himself behind the mound with a runner on first, there is no way he can see where the free legs swings.

 

© The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base;

 

Too many pitchers step halfway between the rubber and home plate. To me, that's not directly toward the base.

Sounds to me like you've been picked off a time...or two, huh?

Sounds like you're a left-hander :lol:

 

Leftys are always swinging their leg past the edge and it is never called. Why? When an umpire positions himself behind the mound with a runner on first, there is no way he can see where the free legs swings.

 

 

 

Too many pitchers step halfway between the rubber and home plate. To me, that's not directly toward the base.

 

Directly toward the base is open to interpretation. Any step between halfway to home plate and first is considered "toward the base."

Directly toward the base is open to interpretation. Any step between halfway to home plate and first is considered "toward the base."

 

Take a look at this video.

 

I think the first one is OK.

 

The one at the 40 second mark HAS to be a balk.

 

Take a look at this video.

 

I think the first one is OK.

 

The one at the 40 second mark HAS to be a balk.

 

 

Something happened on the one at the 40 second mark. He either threw the ball into right field or they called a balk. I agree, although all three of the moves they show are close...