Explaining Balk Calls to Coaches

When coaches question “Balk” calls, choose very carefully whether you respond verbally or with a body motion. When a coach is in a dugout beyond easy hearing distance and he demands a response, you might use a single small body motion. However, sometimes your response may raise more questions increasing the probability that the coach will either enter the field or start possible verbal abuse.

Think before responding. Choosing not to respond is an option.

When the coach is in speaking distance, I suggest that you do not demonstrate the illegal motion. Words work better.

Simply say such things as ‘he started his motion and stopped’, “he failed to stop”, “he did not step: directly towards the base/ahead of throw”, et cetera.

Short statements directly to the point that use rulebook language is the best way to explain balk situations. There is not a long list of rules governing balks. Please do not begin to have coaches teach you the balk rule. Let the balk rule, your experience, and your mentors help you call the balk properly and fairly.

You are serving our most important purposes–teaching the game and adminstering it fairly supported fully by the rules. Our rules are designed for school children and extra-curricular activities are an important extension of the classroom.

SPEAKING OF MECHANICS — COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

(Hopefully you will read this after you read my previous post located directly below this titled ” Communicating with Purpose”.)

This is not an attempt to question the rulemakers, this is to get you to question everything you do on the baseball field when the integrity of the game is placed in your hands.  In that context, please be involved in sharing your thoughts.

The NFHS prints its official baseball mechanics manual every other year so it should start to look a little worn before it goes into the waste stream.  If you are not willing to follow all instructions therein, you, with the help of your association, must fairly evaluate concerns and communicate them to NFHS. We deserve to have the best possible mechanics manual. High school baseball deserves a specific detailed manual similar to what IAABO basketball already has.

CALL FOR QUESTIONS

So, what things do you question in the National Federation Official Mechanics Manual? Share your thoughts by clicking on “Comments” at the bottoom of this page. Remember you must follow the approved set of guidelines and never be negative.  This is a learning space.

Communicating with Purpose

Communication is an extremely important part of every game you umpire. Communication occurs with and without signals. If there is an approved signal, please use it so more people will be informed and your partner will know exactly what you are doing.

You must communicate with your partner whey you are:

• covering a base,
• taking fly balls,
• “staying home”,
• ???

CLICK ON “COMMENTS” BELOW TO ADD ANY ADDITIONAL VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS THAT YOU THINK THAT YOU COULD USE TO ENHANCE YOUR UMPIRING.

You must communicate to inform the players (focus on players and the coaches will get the information):

• sharing the count,
• number of outs,
• “Infield Fly!”
• “Foul Ball”,
• “Ball is alive!”
• obstruction,
• et cetera.

Please understand that you are a teacher of the game. You know the rules. You are obligated to inform all those involved. People will learn the language of the game from you so be clear, concise, and use the terminology provided in the rulebook. Become very familiar with your perspective rulebook.

Click on “COMMENTS” below to add any additional communication that you think should be added to the above list! Do you know whether or not your rulebook suggests or recommends your signals or verbal communications? (Oops! Time for me to go dig into that mechanics manual again!)

Substitution Rule–Failure to Announce Substitute

The majority in attendance including the teams felt sure that the batter should be called out because he was not announced before the first pitch was thrown to him. Below I have pasted Rule 3 Section 1 Article 1. It speaks for itself, I think!

Note: My apologies for not fitting this image in the space properly. It does block some of the closest sidebar. Scroll down to see the sidebar options without an obstructed view.

Substitution — Rule 3; Section 1; Article 1

Please click on “Comments” below to add any comments or ask questions. We will do our best to respond promptly.  You will need to leave your name and email address.

Head Position when “Working the Plate”

There are lots of different ways to “work the plate”. However, you need to know why you see every pitch the way you see it. It cannot be a game of chance. You need to know where the ball crossed the plate area so you must see the ball the exact moments when it crosses the plate. It you don’t, adjust your head postion. Your eyes have to be in the right place so put them there.

Check out the following picture and its caption in the photo gallery if you want to think even more more about your plate mechanics.

http://picasaweb.google.com/ShawnKball/OfficiatingBlogPics/photo#5056680258687107362

WORKING THE HIGH SCISSORS

This classic plate mechanic/style can be even more perfected by using the “ol’ balloon”. Umpire balloon protectors offered the utmost of protection. The big “ol’ balloon” did have a way of getting in the way though.