quote:Originally posted by Harv:
You know, I guess this is something they talk about in clandestine umpire meetings. I've had a chance to review the video now and there's absolutely nothing different in any movement prior to and including the knee lift which is the same (excpet for the occasional slide step) until such a time as he steps to first or goes home..
Nothing clandestine about it....
How many times did the umpire who called the balk get to see the video?.......I'll answer that, None ...he made his decision based on what he saw at game speed..(rightly or wrongly)
We (umpire staff here) have to assume that the umpire who called the balk saw something that "in his judgment" was a balk.....otherwise, we would have to answer "HTBT"...which means "had to be there"...and no advice on any situation could be given....
The fact you said he didnt balk any other time during the night to me suggests this move was a balk in the eyes of that umpire...
Usually pitchers who get called for a balk dont do that again in the game....
But then again , you have the advantage of watching the video...