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As well as the announcers (but we knew that).
I was watching this one live when it happened.
I'm not sure it was not knowing the rules so much as a complete, total loss of focus and composure. He was doing one thing and thinking he did something else.
Someone on the BoSox seems to have a breakdown every night, they take turns.
Dash, even the announcers recognized thse two balks. You don't exactly have to be an expert to know you can't step to the plate and then pickoff...
I'm not sure it was not knowing the rules so much as a complete, total loss of focus and composure. He was doing one thing and thinking he did something else.
Someone on the BoSox seems to have a breakdown every night, they take turns.
Dash, even the announcers recognized thse two balks. You don't exactly have to be an expert to know you can't step to the plate and then pickoff...
quote:Originally posted by JMoff:
Looks like the old fake to 3rd throw to 1st move might be going away in OBR.
MLB Rule Change
If the AP's reporting is accurate (and I have reservations about that) that would be a major rule change. It says that the pitcher can't fake to 3rd unless he's off the rubber. I wonder if it also applies at 2nd. If so, it would make it a whole lot easier to steal 3rd.
quote:Originally posted by JMoff:
I was watching this one live when it happened.
I'm not sure it was not knowing the rules so much as a complete, total loss of focus and composure. He was doing one thing and thinking he did something else.
Keep watching the highlight clip. The next one contains a fly ball that, according to the announcers, should have been ruled a catch because the fielder ran "two strides" before the ball popped out of his glove and hit the fence.
quote:Originally posted by dash_riprock:quote:Originally posted by JMoff:
I'm not sure it was not knowing the rules so much as a complete, total loss of focus and composure.
Keep watching the highlight clip. The next one contains a fly ball that, according to the announcers, should have been ruled a catch because the fielder ran "two strides" before the ball popped out of his glove and hit the fence.
After watching the video I can see where he thinks he made the correct moves. While the moves were visibly uncompleted to everyone but him, I believe that HE felt (physically) that he made a complete move. I liken it to this anology:
You get robbed at gunpoint You tell th e po-po the called must pointed the .50 cal desert eagle right at your head...po-po catches the guy less than a block awy...the recover a 2 shot .22 darringer.....when you are so caught up in the moment perceptions are often distorted
You get robbed at gunpoint You tell th e po-po the called must pointed the .50 cal desert eagle right at your head...po-po catches the guy less than a block awy...the recover a 2 shot .22 darringer.....when you are so caught up in the moment perceptions are often distorted
quote:Originally posted by dash_riprock:quote:Originally posted by dash_riprock:quote:Originally posted by JMoff:
I'm not sure it was not knowing the rules so much as a complete, total loss of focus and composure.
Keep watching the highlight clip. The next one contains a fly ball that, according to the announcers, should have been ruled a catch because the fielder ran "two strides" before the ball popped out of his glove and hit the fence.
I stopped it after the first video of the two balks and wild pitch.
I saw the "two feet down fly ball catch" as well, but was watching the KC feed and their announcers didn't even understand what the argument was about initially. After about three replays, they realized Ross had the ball for a while before it came out. All replays clearly showed he never had control of the ball and they got the call right.
On Byrd's bunt in the 9th, the wrong call was made (foul ball, which the umpire confirmed after the game), but I think it was the correct result as Byrd offered at the ball and was hit by it.
quote:Originally posted by dash_riprock:quote:Originally posted by JMoff:
Looks like the old fake to 3rd throw to 1st move might be going away in OBR.
MLB Rule Change
If the AP's reporting is accurate (and I have reservations about that) that would be a major rule change. It says that the pitcher can't fake to 3rd unless he's off the rubber. I wonder if it also applies at 2nd. If so, it would make it a whole lot easier to steal 3rd.
I was surprised as well. It's an AP story but it's been picked up by ESPN and Yahoo (at least ). Not like I read it on a message board.
OK, I'll admit my ignorance. When I watch the first Bard balk, I do see a step toward 3rd, albeit a small one.
The rule posted on one of the links reads...
Rule 8.05 (c), which states: "It is possible, with runners on first and third, for the pitcher to step toward third and not throw, merely to bluff the runner back to third; then seeing the runner on first start for second, turn and step toward and throw to first base. This is legal."
So, what distinguishes a small, illegal step such as Bard's and a legal one?
The rule posted on one of the links reads...
Rule 8.05 (c), which states: "It is possible, with runners on first and third, for the pitcher to step toward third and not throw, merely to bluff the runner back to third; then seeing the runner on first start for second, turn and step toward and throw to first base. This is legal."
So, what distinguishes a small, illegal step such as Bard's and a legal one?
The umpires here can provide a more mechanical answer, but IMHO he didn't gain ground towards third or even come close to gaining ground. In other angles, he even looked like he moved towards home as well.
quote:Originally posted by dash_riprock:quote:Originally posted by JMoff:
Looks like the old fake to 3rd throw to 1st move might be going away in OBR.
MLB Rule Change
If the AP's reporting is accurate (and I have reservations about that) that would be a major rule change. It says that the pitcher can't fake to 3rd unless he's off the rubber. I wonder if it also applies at 2nd. If so, it would make it a whole lot easier to steal 3rd.
It is accurate in that the rule change is being considered. The rationale given to AAA umpires is that hardly any one comes off the rubber on the move to third and then the feint to first is in contact with the rubber.
If they aren't coming off then it's a balk on the move to first, throw or not. I really don't understand why they feel they need to fix things that aren't broke.
Quite simply the new rule will level the playing for runners at all bases by providing them all the same protection runners at first already receive. Feints to all bases will require disengaging. I see no problem with that.
The biggest problem is it is now going to require relearning mechanics, then try to get all the different rulesets to come inline. If not you get a whole new set of myths and arguments.
quote:Originally posted by Michael S. Taylor:
The biggest problem is it is now going to require relearning mechanics, then try to get all the different rulesets to come inline. If not you get a whole new set of myths and arguments.
The rule sets aren't in line now. Never will be, most likely.
I think making a fake require stepping off at every base makes it easier for the player.