No Balk Enforcement

[coug51]

One of our local Babe Ruth Leagues has requested that our Association no longer enforce the balk rules at the 13 year old level.

My response to this has been to refuse to do games for a league that does not enforce rules as they are written in their rule book. By not enforcing rules, we would essentially be allowing cheating. This does a disservice to the offense as well. Their theory is that by just warning the pitcher's we can teach them the rule... I was under the impression that teaching was the job of the coaches. If we teach the pitcher, are we also to teach the runners? What's next? Cross-outs, do-overs, coin flips??

I have sent lengthy replies to my association as well as the league explaining my objections in much greater detail than above.

Any input? I am looking for any good reason for this new "rule," or any further defense of my standpoint.

Thanks!

[SJC_Blue]

I agree with you. They are not doing their players any favors either. The best teacher in life is a penalty.

Also, calling these games could develop bad habits for you, as an umpire. You may grow tired of issuing a warning and just start letting some of the balks go. Certainly a bad habit. A lot of umpiring is developing good instincts and this experience would not help that at all.

I'd avoid these games also unless they paid really, really good.

[Welpe]

I think a balk teaches them pretty well, personally. The league is supposed to be instructional anyways so they should be getting used to playing ball ALL of the rules. Now obviously I think you can tailor the technical balks a bit to the level of play but that is not the same as flat out not calling any balks. I balk at that notion.

I don't think warnings work particularly well anyways. We had to give them for a first offense for the local LL Juniors league and they didn't seem to sink in. I had a LHP one game, that with a R1, feinted to 1st. I warned him that was a balk and continued on. Fast forward to the bottom of the 7th, and the same pitcher is pitching with the bases loaded and a tie ball game. He feints to first again and I call a balk, which sends in the winning run. I think from then on, the pitcher knew it was illegal to feint to first.

[Richard_Siegel]

Balk warning were designed by coaches who do not understand the balk rules, and are incapable of teaching them. They think the umpires will teach the rules to the pitchers instead, vis the warnings.

Do the games. Overlook the balks. If you get a complaint,... "That didn't look like a balk to me..."

[bamatazz]

So what are they going to say when they go to a different park for post season play and they start calling balks on them?

[BrianC14]

So what are they going to say when they go to a different park for post season play and they start calling balks on them?

Yeah - great point! I can hear it now:

"Well, we don't do that in Podunk."

This idea of not enforcing rules is just foolish.

Let the kids play stickball in the streets, then. Guess what? They sure as heck enforce the rules there.

[lawump]

It is not your job to decide whether the adopted rule is wise or not, it is your job to to enforce the rules as that league has written them (or revised them, etc.)

If you were a pro umpire and the NAPBL said, "starting this season there is no more infield fly rule"...would you refuse to umpire that league?

If you really despise a particular league's rules...then don't do that league.

Here in SC, the high school league has a "no appeal rule". That is, there are no missed base and re-touch appeals. The umpire is to call any runners out at the end of the play who missed a base or failed to re-touch after a caught fly ball.

I hate the rule...but I enforce it because that's that league's rules. We're like the executive branch of the federal goverment (or at least as you learn it in third grade) we enforce the laws...we don't write them.

[Welpe]

I hate the rule...but I enforce it because that's that league's rules. We're like the executive branch of the federal goverment (or at least as you learn it in third grade) we enforce the laws...we don't write them.

I think we need to start issuing executive orders. :lol:

[BrianC14]

I hate the rule...but I enforce it because that's that league's rules. We're like the executive branch of the federal goverment (or at least as you learn it in third grade) we enforce the laws...we don't write them.

I think we need to start issuing executive orders. :lol:

Well if we're going to do that, then let's start with one that includes electrified wire around the dugouts. :wink:

[Welpe]

I hate the rule...but I enforce it because that's that league's rules. We're like the executive branch of the federal goverment (or at least as you learn it in third grade) we enforce the laws...we don't write them.

I think we need to start issuing executive orders. :lol:

Well if we're going to do that, then let's start with one that includes electrified wire around the dugouts. :wink:

Followed quickly with, no bleachers allowed anywhere.

[ziggys141]

One of our local Babe Ruth Leagues has requested that our Association no longer enforce the balk rules at the 13 year old level.

If they simply "requested" the association not call 'em, I'd have a little problem with that. If they implement a rule saying NO BALKS," well, now you have your rule.

So what do they want you to do? Constantly issue warnings? So anytime a runner starts stealing, the pitcher just doesn't release the ball during his pitch? Do you put the runner back and have a do-over, or does the play continue and the runner always gets thrown out? I can almost picture the BU, "THAT WOULDA BEEN A BALK!! DO-EVER!!"

It's just a bad situation.... unless they institute a no lead-off rule also.....

[gobama84]

My question would be, "Why is this in the High School section?" :oops:

[coug51]

My question would be, "Why is this in the High School section?" :oops:

Perhaps because if you look at the forums list, this one says "High School:High School, Federation, and everything in between." Babe Ruth doesn't play on a small diamond, under college rules, nor are the players paid... so which forum would you put it in??

[Ozzy]

My question would be, "Why is this in the High School section?" :oops:

Perhaps because if you look at the forums list, this one says "High School:High School, Federation, and everything in between." Babe Ruth doesn't play on a small diamond, under college rules, nor are the players paid... so which forum would you put it in??
Probably under General or Rules would be a better place. We try to hold the High School forum to FED rules. It's not a big deal, it's just a "mind-set-thing" when we go to the High School Forum, we start thinking in FED. Keep it in mind for the future.

Peace.

[lmsans]

My question would be, "Why is this in the High School section?" :oops:

Perhaps because if you look at the forums list, this one says "High School:High School, Federation, and everything in between." Babe Ruth doesn't play on a small diamond, under college rules, nor are the players paid... so which forum would you put it in??

Rules? Situations? General?

[coug51]

To the first 10 posters, thank you for your input, it was provided to our board at last night's executive meeting. To the last few, thank you for exposing my ignorance and making me feel so welcome in "your" little club. I promise to not clog up "your" forums with any more of my misguided questions.

[Welpe]

Glad I could help and no need to be thin skinned about the location of the post. Nobody yelled at you or called you names, they just provided advice for the future in order to better help you with your questions.