****Texas @ Texas Tech-Sunday Baseball Game Thread****

[JimR]

It's a missed call by the ump then. Because if Tres catches the ball in front of the plate that's a catcher's balk. Which means the batter should have been awarded first and all runners should have moved up. I know we are splitting hairs here, but if a catcher's balk isn't called that's a strike.

it was an attempted pitchout to Barrera. yes to splitting hairs.

 

[utisdabomb12]

it was an attempted pitchout to Barrera. yes to splitting hairs.

I agree I'm splitting hairs, but whether it's a pitchout or not doesn't matter (actually the catcher's balk is rarely called, but when it is called it usually occurs on pitchouts/intentional walks). If Barrera crosses the plate it's a catcher's balk. I guess my point is, if a catcher's balk isn't made there it has to be a strike. Granted, that is a pretty tough call considering the circumstances.

 

[JimR]

I agree I'm splitting hairs, but whether it's a pitchout or not doesn't matter (actually the catcher's balk is rarely called, but when it is called it usually occurs on pitchouts/intentional walks). If Barrera crosses the plate it's a catcher's balk. I guess my point is, if a catcher's balk isn't made there it has to be a strike. Granted, that is a pretty tough call considering the circumstances.

No.

MLB umpire Tim McCelland tells us what a catcher's balk is:

McClelland: It is a balk if the catcher doesn't stay in the catcher's box until the pitcher delivers the ball. If he were to step out of the catcher's box - the little box behind home plate - before the pitcher delivers the ball it would be called a catcher's balk. The runners would advance.

Barrera was in the catcher's box when Curtis delivered the pitch. Your last point is totally wrong. It would have been the same as a legal pitchout and attempted tag. under no circumstances would it have been a strike.

 

[utisdabomb12]

Here's the actual rule.

"Rule 4.03(a) states "The catcher shall station himself directly back of the plate. He may leave his position at any time to catch a pitch or make a play except that when the batter is being given an intentional base on balls, the catcher must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher's box until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. PENALTY: Balk.A "catcher's balk" is charged to the pitcher (for pitching when the catcher is out of the box), and has the same penalty as any other balk -- the runners advance one base."

You may be correct, if Barrera is in the box before the pitch it might not be a catcher's balk based on the wording of that rule. I still question if Barrera actually crosses home until he attempts to make the tag. I've honestly never seen a play like this in real life. If Barrera crosses the plate though and a catcher's balk isn't called, I'm guessing that's automatically considered a ball? If it isn't a catcher's balk it comes down to whether the ball crosses the plate. I'll admit it's a pretty close call. It really is a crazy play because it's also tight on whether the runner gets home before the "strike" actually takes place.

 

[JimR]

Here's the actual rule.
"Rule 4.03(a) states "The catcher shall station himself directly back of the plate. He may leave his position at any time to catch a pitch or make a play except that when the batter is being given an intentional base on balls, the catcher must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher's box until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. PENALTY: Balk.A "catcher's balk" is charged to the pitcher (for pitching when the catcher is out of the box), and has the same penalty as any other balk -- the runners advance one base."

You may be correct, if Barrera is in the box before the pitch it might not be a catcher's balk based on the wording of that rule. I still question if Barrera actually crosses home until he attempts to make the tag. I've honestly never seen a play like this in real life. If Barrera crosses the plate though and a catcher's balk isn't called, I'm guessing that's automatically considered a ball?

that is what I think.

 

[Bear19]

No one has answered my question about why the balk was called. I did not save the game so I have no replay but it certainly appeared the pitchers first move was to take his foot off the rubber backwards.

Am I wrong?

 

[utisdabomb12]

No one has answered my question about why the balk was called. I did not save the game so I have no replay but it certainly appeared the pitchers first move was to take his foot off the rubber backwards.Am I wrong?

Do you have a replay? I really didn't get to see it.....I was working as I was watching the game.