I was flipping throught channels last night and stopped on the Cubs game on ESPN. Every pitch that guy throws, he first bends his plant knee real quick, then continues the pitch. How is that not a balk? Wouldn't that be decieving the runner at first, as if he was attempting a pickoff move?
Thanks for the input...
2007-07-31 04:47:11 · 10 answers · asked by MDC 3 in Sports ➔ Baseball
balks are anything not associated with the natural pitching motion.
If he breaks his knee in usual pitching motion then he could not break his knee and throw to a base. There is NOTHING in the rule book that states you can not break your knee and pitch.
I had a coach come out on me (I was the umpire) after I called a balk for a pitcher leaned towards home plate just like he did with his pitch and then picked a kid off at 3rd. He claimed the pitcher stepped just to the right of a line splitting the difference between home plate and 3rd (commonly referred to as the 45). I informed him that there is nothing in the rule book about "if the pitcher steps atleast 45 degrees towards a base..." It states that if you are going to throw to a bag you must steps to h bag anf gain ground towards that bag.
What the coach was not aware of, any motion at all towards home plate (regardless os where you step) and then throwing to a base is a balk.
2007-07-31 06:10:26 · answer #1 · answered by DP 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Often times when relief pitchers pitch from the stretch, they'll have a quick motion to the plate. The bending of the plant leg helps the pitcher deliver the ball faster to the plate by also using a sliding motion by the kick foot. If you look at 90% of the relief pitchers in the majors, you'll see that they all bend their legs at the knee. Deceiving the runner is not a call, but a balk is. A balk is defined as a motion which deceives the runner. I'm sure you know that if you break the plane of the shoulders while looking a runner over, that would be a balk. But, Dempster's motion really isn't much different than anyone else's. I'm a Cubs fan, but not a huge fan of Dempster.
2007-07-31 12:40:36 · answer #2 · answered by T-Ball 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No because he does stop for the one second that he has to. I watch him closely also but he isnt balking. If he did it every pitch he would get it called and he hasnt for as long as i remember.
2007-07-31 13:44:32 · answer #3 · answered by chi_cubs_lover 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as he is going towards the plate it is fine.
If he followed that quick bend by going to first, then it would be a balk.
2007-07-31 12:05:55 · answer #4 · answered by Jeff L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
balks are usually the umpires discretion. If he does the same windup every time, it isn't a balk. They have to be pretty obvious to be called.
2007-07-31 12:02:10 · answer #5 · answered by bluecollaraddict 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it is part of his pitching motion for every pich he throws then it isnt a balk. If he did it once then it would be. The windup has to be consistant
2007-07-31 11:53:40 · answer #6 · answered by Baseballdude 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Unless he makes a move toward a bag it will be clean. Look at D-Train. He is kicking and whipping and twisting all around and he never gets called.
2007-07-31 11:53:02 · answer #7 · answered by amgolf27 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i dont think he balks
hideo nomo, derrick turnbow balk
not dembster
2007-07-31 16:29:40 · answer #8 · answered by cubbygirl25 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well as long as he isnt moving his body towards 1st or the plate. He's alright.
2007-07-31 11:52:17 · answer #9 · answered by weezybaby 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Because the cubs cheat, always have always will. Selig lets them get away with it, they must have something on him. cubs suck.
2007-07-31 11:56:53 · answer #10 · answered by Drunk365 7 · 1⤊ 6⤋