Umpire Training - Balks - What is a Stop?

There is no such thing as a "pause", it is a stop that pitcher must come to in the set position with runner(s) on base. Bugsy from UmpireTeacher.com shows and teaches you about "a stop".

[@samhanson7]

Bugsy I live in Maple Grove, I love having you as the trainer for all us umps you are one of the best! thanks again for all the help i saw you where umping one of the Maple Grove Vs. Anoka games that i was at. Sam

[@daneabe]

If you have not bought Bugsy's DVD's - go do so today! This guy is good!

[@bigyaz]

Thanks, Bugsy. I enjoy your videos.

[@UmpireTeacher]

@bobojacobo LOL...I agree, I'm going to re-shoot this video and make it more clear as to what I'm trying to teach. Well said!!

[@UmpireTeacher]

@samhanson7 Hi Sam, thanks for the nice words and you're welcome too, I love to teach and help guys like yourself who really want to learn to umpire the right way. :) Bugsy

[@UmpireTeacher]

@SoftBank47 Good question! Over the years some pitchers have done certain things in their wind up/set position and what seemingly appeared to be a balk was not called. Pitchers back in the day were given a "free pass" if you will, like Luis Tiant, whereas his move was basically the same everytime so the umpires overlooked it, so to speak. But since I've never seen BJ pitch I can't comment directly on his move. Remember Bert Blyleven? He bounced everytime! He wouldn't be able to do that now

[@UmpireTeacher]

BigYaz, You're absolutely right. That was a "mis-speak" on my part. Thanks for catching that. ~Bugsy~ Gang, you do not have to stop before you throw to a base to try to pick off someone.

[@UmpireTeacher]

Thanks for your input. And keep it coming. ~Bugsy~

[@UmpireTeacher]

@vanparty Thank you, I appreciate that and this year I'm going to put up a lot more! ~Bugsy~ 1/15/11

[@shoyo4ever15]

totally helpful. Now I know!

[@swainr4570]

Can a right handed pitcher pitching from the stretch go to the set position then raise his left leg without breaking the rear plane of the rubber and then step directly back to first to pick off at first or is that only allowed to 2nd and 3rd?

[@UmpireTeacher]

@eddiesilversurfer Eddie, you're right. A pitcher cannot stop twice.

[@UmpireTeacher]

@bubnick44 Hi Bubnick44, you're basically right but there's more to it then that and that's why if an amateur umpire doesn't get good "formal" training (Pro training), learning the rules with interpretations, he or she won't know and understand the rules properly.

[@TruthThanks]

hey teacher, when you step off the rubber (not set) can you still attempt a pick off?

[@jross2319]

At the 5:20 mark you show a pitcher in the set position breaking his hands and stepping off the rubber with his pivot foot. If he does this and feints a throw to first base, is this a balk? I was taught that the pitcher must make two separate movements: 1)step off the rubber and establish himself as an infielder then 2) feint the throw to first base. If he steps back and feints to first he has not established himself as an infielder and is feinting to first base from the rubber. Agree?

[@UmpireTeacher]

@arandomperson240 No, both umpires can call a balk.

[@chuckfan1]

Depends....If the pitcher does life his leg, and holds it there, I mean, holds it there for a long time, yes a balk. But , if its barely discernible, then thats not usually called. If your asking if its a balk because he threw to 2nd, an unoccupied base, then no thats not a balk. A pitcher can throw to an unoccupied base for the purposes of making a play, in this case, you stealing 2nd..

[@UmpireTeacher]

Aj, I hate to say this but I'd have to see that one. It sounds like from what you're describing, it's legal, what he's doing. ~Bugsy~

[@UmpireTeacher]

Hi Bsb, According to your description, yes that is a balk. I'm visualizing that the pitcher literally froze with his leg for a moment, correct? If that's what happened, it's a balk. As far as the argument, somehow get your head coach out there to argue for you, so you take away any chance of being ejected. Especially if you're that fast, you're valuable to your team. Speed kills. I will say this B., you probably had an inexperienced umpire. He has to know how to recognize that balk. ~Bugsy~

[@TacticalTupperware]

Great info!! The music kinda distracting.

[@UmpireTeacher]

@jross2319 Jross, the proper interpretation is just as I show it. As long as the pitcher does it (steps back and raises his hand up) simultaneously, he is legal. You'll see it happen a lot on the MLB games and also at the High School level and up. That interpretation is consistent at all levels.

[@UmpireTeacher]

@KyleClayton21 If the pitcher doesn't stop, it's a balk. You call a balk. In High School the ball becomes immediately dead as soon as you call balk. College and Pro, you basically let the play finish (short answer). And yes each runner is awarded one base when a balk is called.

[@TheAustin1414]

Isn't it a balk if they just turn back and throw to first with out stepping off the rubber? I just called that today in a game...

[@UmpireTeacher]

@msy626 Hi, please re-write your question, I'm not quite sure what you're saying or asking.

[@UmpireTeacher]

@neaallstar13 Neal, give me more. Be more specific with your question.

[@TheAustin1414]

If a righty just turns and throws to first without stepping off the rubber isn't that's balk? I called that today in a game...

[@SoftBank47]

Regarding the so-called "bounce," I watched BJ Ryan a lot, and he seemed to balk every time he threw a pitch because of how he supposedly "came set." However, this was never called. Why not? Ryan was a balk a pitch.

[@bigyaz]

Around 7:25 he says they have to stop before they "pitdh or throw to first base." Not true. You don't have to stop before throwing to first.

[@traveltip1427]

I thought an umpire would call it a "pitcher's plate" instead of a rubber.

[@Brammy007a]

good video..... gawd I wish these intros were shorter.... 38 seconds is too long. Also..... put on a glove.... it useful visually.

[@ripvanhe]

1:27 Balk