Here's a wacky one for the books...

College situation that happened yesterday during a crucial pressure moment in the rubbermatch between Erskine & Belmont Abbey. (Going into the series, Erskine was 23-0. Abbey 21-8...This game had huge NCAA implications).

Erskine leading 2-1...top of last inning. Abbey has runners on 2nd & 3rd, 1 out & best hitter @ plate. Erskine coach goes to mound, talks to entire infield, & returns to dugout. Pitcher is still standing on dirt near rubber...Runners take a lead...Third baseman runs over & tags baserunner out. Hidden ball play. Erskine bench & fans erupt in delight!

Abbey Coach Smith (& yours truly) start screaming: "That's a balk!!" Field ump (after thinking for several seconds) finally agrees. Balk called...Runners advance...game tied. Erskine coach goes berzerk. Long argument ensues. Fans call Umps every name in book. Abbey goes on to win.

This is a classic case of not knowing the rules. I'm not belittling Erskine's coach (who is doing a temendous job w/ that program) for calling this play, but he learned a tough lesson. Know the rule book.

Rule 9 Section 3

A balk shall be called when the pitcher (while not in possession of the ball) stands with either foot or both feet on any part of the dirt area (circle) of the mound during a hidden-ball-play attempt.​

 

Rules rules and more rules

The real shame of it all is SO MANY coaches and fans don't really know the rulebook and yet they want to blame the umpires for everything. I am totally amazed at the actions of fans and coaches at the games.

 

WOW!!!!!! That is amazing! Gutsy to try it! But true...ya gotta know the rules. I'm not surprised at all that Coach Smith and Coach Anderson were right on top of it. Big win for the Crusaders.

 

Your right, many fans don't understand many calls that are made during the course of a ballgame, but to be honest, especially at the HS level you get many coaches that don't understand either, because they are the ones out there going berzerk (case in point: the Erskine coach with this specific situation).

 

To be honest, I hate to see those little league trick plays at that level. I'm glad it didn't work.

 

TJ just to be clear: I give the coach a free pass on this one because this rule is an obscure one. He was trying to help his team out of a jam, so not knowing it is a bit forgivable.

I knew it immediately because I officiated for many years. That's why I was totally upset that the umpires took about 15 seconds before they finally agreed w/ Kermit that a balk had happened.

And I can't say this for sure, but I thought I heard one ump tell an assitant coach that the reason it was a balk was because the kid stepped on the rubber. That's baloney. The rule was broken when the kid was on the dirt w/o the ball. If I heard correctly, that Umpire should have his schedule pulled...because the kid never stepped on the rubber, he just pretended to do it. So that Ump missed the call twice: not knowing rule, & not seeing the play.

By the way, somebody said there is a baseball movie in which a kid is involved w/ a major league team and he pulls this hidden ball trick off exactly like above. Anybody know if that is true?

 

I have a question about this...if the coach called time, doesn't the umpire have to put the ball in play? And if he has to put the ball in play I think the pitcher has to toe the rubber with the ball and thus the hidden ball trick would not work in that situation? just a question

 

All in a day's work

Yes.... very interesting to find out how/when the ball was put back in play. The umps may have dug their own hole on this one.

 

Wrong call..

IMO no one is out and no one has balked. The play is simply dead. Time had been called and is not put back in play until pitcher toes the rubber, ball in hand. Am I right Stretchy?

 

Suggestion

Let's look at selling rule books during the game instead of programs. Look at the money that could be made. 1st inning umps make a questionable call (we will give them a cut). Everyone will be running to buy one like it was half time at a football game and everyone trys to get in line at the concession stand.