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11 replies

What should we have done?

C CrackpottheoryMember
Kind of crazy, but this happened: Bases loaded, 1 out, bottom of the last, "Junior League" (13/14) playoff game, batting team behind by 2.

Anyway, batting team calls time, brings in a pinch runner, and calls their other runners over for a quick conference. Everybody gets back on their bases. I put the ball in play. Pitcher goes into his windup, at which point one of the coaches from his own team yells at him not to throw a pitch. He stops just short of actually throwing, and I call the balk. The fielding team's manager now comes running out of the dugout, and I cut him off politely but firmly, explaining that it was his own coach that created the situation and there's not much I can do about it. He then explains that during that conference, the batting team switched who was on what base in order to put their slowest runner on 3rd base instead of 2nd. And, upon closer examination, he's correct.

What's the call and controlling rules?
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C CrackpottheoryMember
Well, the senior ump made the ruling: He ejected all three baserunners and the manager of the batting team, but then when the runners were duly replaced, enforced the balk. I'd love to tell you that the fielding team took this calmly, settled down, and held the 1-run lead, but I'd be lying.

I think I would have ejected the manager, replaced the runners, and not enforced the balk.

I can't find any controlling rule though.
piaa_umppiaa_ump5,000+ posts
Im going to have to do some research, but at first pass, I think you got it right...(not sure here)

I am ejecting at least 3 people....Manager of the conference and both of the runners who changed bases....

I do not have anything to support ignoring the balk since it was caused by defensive coach....

Like Dash, I'd love to end the game on this treachery and all I would need is some rule cite to pin it on....but I cant think of how to apply it ........I DO NOT TAKE CHEATING LIGHTLY....probably follow this up with a notification to the league ....
Last edited by piaa_ump
N NJUmp10+ posts
I do not have a copy of the Fed rule book here, but I dont think it differentiates between offense and defense when a coach yells from the dugout and causes a balk, I do know the rule states the balk is ignored. MST and PIAA have the action on the runners.
As an aside, you have to rule the game with common sense, not saying you didnt. Time is out, you discuss with your partner, you call out the 2 runners, game over. No need to address anything else.
piaa_umppiaa_ump5,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by NJUmp:
I do not have a copy of the Fed rule book here, but I dont think it differentiates between offense and defense when a coach yells from the dugout and causes a balk, I do know the rule states the balk is ignored. MST and PIAA have the action on the runners.
As an aside, you have to rule the game with common sense, not saying you didnt. Time is out, you discuss with your partner, you call out the 2 runners, game over. No need to address anything else.


NJump has something here.........I got out my BRD and looked at balk enticed and it is under the heading "balk enticed by offense" yet, in the wording of the rule there is no mention of "offense only"

Here is the wording...

"no person connected with a team shall commit any act ot make any remark designed to entice the pitcher to balk..."

Either way I am for the maximum penalty for this sort of treachery.......
D dash_riprock1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Yankeelvr:
What would have been the proper (or necessary) way for the defensive coach to handle this situation. Lets say the hitter singled on the pitch with 2 runs scoring, would he still have any recourse ?

I think the "before next pitch" concept applies to batting out-of-order and appeals. There is no statute of limitations on cheating.

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