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Infield Balk

U uvabaseballfan500+ posts
Can anyone explain to me the interpretation of an infield balk? In a Nations 12U tournament this weekend in Virginia, our 3rd baseman was called for an infield balk while holding a runner on the base with a portion of his right foot in foul territory. This obviously cost us a run, and I had never heard of this rule before until yesterday. I questioned the umpire, suggesting that at 12U there should be more concern about pitchers trying to deceive the base runner, but he was adamant about the rule and his call. If someone could fill me in on where I would find the specific rule at either the major league or association level, I would appreciate the help.

Thanks!
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S SwampboyHSBBWeb Administrator
I can't get you all the way to that ruling, but Federation rules require all defensive players other than the catcher to be in fair ground when the ball is pitched. However, the rule specifies that a player is in fair ground if at least one foot is in contact with fair ground. Penalty is a ball if no runners on base or award of a base to all runners. Are you sure your 3b wasn't leaping in the air with neither foot in contact with fair ground?
F 3FingeredGlove1,000+ posts
For OBR, the relevant rule is 4.03(c), which says all players except the pitcher and catcher may position themselves anywhere in fair territory when the ball is put in play. There is no penalty listed if they don't, which means the umpire should not put the ball into play until all the fielders are in fair territory. Being in "fair territory" is not defined, but since there is no penalty, a definition isn't too important. Nations baseball plays under modified OBR.

For NCAA, the rule is 5-4c. Here there may be a penalty-- if the play benefits the defense, it is nullified. A player is in fair territory if one foot is placed in fair territory. Probably OK to be jumping. Smile

NFHS is 1-2-4, and Swampboy has already covered this rule.
Last edited by 3FingeredGlove
Michael S. TaylorMichael S. Taylor1,000+ posts
Since you are using OBR he was 99% wrong. The rules do require that all fielders except the catcher be in fair. So far so good, the F5 had one in, one out, by OBR is not fair. The interp by MLB is to ignore it unless brought up by the opposing manager. If it is then fix it, not penalty, just fix it.
So the umpire was correct in knowing to have guys in fair, he may even known that one foot was enough to make them illegal, but that is probably a stretch. However, after that he is enforcing a myth, a playground rule or something to make feel important by knowing a little known rule. It is little known because it doesn't exist.
piaa_umppiaa_ump5,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Michael S. Taylor:
However, after that he is enforcing a myth, a playground rule or something to make feel important by knowing a little known rule. It is little known because it doesn't exist.


To umpire trainers and past TD's like MST and I, its just so frustrating to hear these things....

Its one of the things we fight the hardest against... and that is the myths and playground rules that untrained umpires insist on perpetuating....
Last edited by piaa_ump
S SwampboyHSBBWeb Administrator
quote:
Originally posted by uvabaseballfan:
Trojan - thanks for the feedback, but help me understand why you feel holding a runner close at 3rd at 12U is bad baseball. I am not challenging your assertion, just curious as to your thoughts.

Thanks.


Compare it to holding a runner on at first: by holding a runner on first, the defensive team increases the opportunity for the batter to hit through the 3-4 hole but is compensated by reducing the opportunity for the runner to steal second base or to advance to third on a single to the outfield.

By holding a runner on third, the defensive team increases the opportunity for the batter to hit through the 5-6 hole but gains no meaningful advantage as compensation. It doesn't reduce the chance of a stolen base because that's already near zero, and it doesn't increase the number of batted balls on which the runner doesn't score.

Also, the chance of a successful pickoff is lower at third than at first, if for no other reason that youth pitchers never practice that move.
JMoffJMoff1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Swampboy:

Compare it to holding a runner on at first: by holding a runner on first, the defensive team increases the opportunity for the batter to hit through the 3-4 hole but is compensated by reducing the opportunity for the runner to steal second base or to advance to third on a single to the outfield.

By holding a runner on third, the defensive team increases the opportunity for the batter to hit through the 5-6 hole but gains no meaningful advantage as compensation. It doesn't reduce the chance of a stolen base because that's already near zero, and it doesn't increase the number of batted balls on which the runner doesn't score.

Also, the chance of a successful pickoff is lower at third than at first, if for no other reason that youth pitchers never practice that move.


Yup what he said...
D DECK10+ posts
I agree with everything JMoff says, plus:
Holding the runner close at 1st helps keep the force at 2nd in order and reduces the chance that he will advance to 3rd on a base hit.
The runner at 3rd is going to score on any clean hit, regardless of being held or not. With less than 2 out, he's going to score on just about any ball put in play (except the grounder hit directly at the pitcher or a corner infielder)...so why risk opening up the 5-6 hole?
Also, 12 yr olds commit lots of balks, either by trying to decieve the runner or just making simple mistakes...why risk it? About the only way a runner is going to get picked off 3rd is when he falls asleep...it's much more likely that the pitcher or catcher's throw to 3rd will end up in left field.

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