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I recently called a game where a coach called out a series of numbers and letters (Think of a QB's audible) towards his catcher. Obviously, this was his way of calling the pitches he wanted. Everyone, including the pitcher, could hear these calls. The opposing coach complained it should be a balk.

From position B or C, I could see that(at times) the Catcher never even bothered to put down his fingers to make it appear he was relaying the signals.

Should this practice be allowed?
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quote:
Originally posted by BigMacAg:
I recently called a game where a coach called out a series of numbers and letters (Think of a QB's audible) towards his catcher. Obviously, this was his way of calling the pitches he wanted. Everyone, including the pitcher, could hear these calls. The opposing coach complained it should be a balk.



Did the opposing coach have a rule in mind, or did he want one made up?
The whining coach was refering to the rule that the pitcher must take his signals from the catcher and not from the dug-out. He called it a "Coach's Balk".

If it is legal to yell the signal towards the catcher, how could it be illegal if he yelled towards the pitcher?

Heck, for all I know, the yelling coach could have been bluffing and just messing with the whining coach's head!
quote:
Originally posted by BigMacAg:
The whining coach was refering to the rule that the pitcher must take his signals from the catcher and not from the dug-out. He called it a "Coach's Balk".

If it is legal to yell the signal towards the catcher, how could it be illegal if he yelled towards the pitcher?

Heck, for all I know, the yelling coach could have been bluffing and just messing with the whining coach's head!


This is not a balk.

Besides, the coach was signalling his catcher, which he can do with signs, verbally, semaphore flags...

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