Balk in WBC explain?

[bretth]

Pitcher balked (very obvious and was called) and threw to first. The runner advancing to second draws the throw from the first baseman, throw goes into left field runner goes to third. After play ceases the umpire sent the runner back to second. Maybe I'm having a brain fart, but I don't understand why they sent the runner back to 2nd. I thought he could advance past 2nd at his own risk. What am I missing?

[batterup]

If he had pitched the ball - you play on and if each runner advances one base, you disregard the balk.

If there is no pitch, kill the play and award the base.

[dash_riprock]

If he had pitched the ball - you play on and if each runner advances one base, you disregard the balk.

If there is no pitch, kill the play and award the base.
This is not the reason. If the pitcher had balked and thrown the ball away on a pickoff, the play would have continued. The reason for returning the runner to 2nd is, after a balk, the defense is not allowed to attempt to put out a runner before he has reached his advance base (in this case, 2nd). Once F3 has the ball, time is called and the balk enforced. Maybe the umps were late in calling it (or maybe the D just ignored the call), but they got it right.

[chuktownblue]

Most every rule in every ruleset makes a certain amount of sense to me. This is one of the few that do not.

I know it's the correct ruling, but saying you have a dead ball (or delayed in the case he pitches to the batter on his balk) in every situation, other than if the pitcher throws it away baffles me.

In this case, if the pitcher throws wild, it bounces off the wall and back to F3, who then throws it into left field, by the rule, it remains live. I've always found the rules easier to apply when I understand the reasoning. I'm not getting it in this case.

[bobjenkins]

I've always found the rules easier to apply when I understand the reasoning. I'm not getting it in this case.

Don't penalize the offense for the PITCHER's mistake.

In this instance, the PITCHER didn't make a mistake (beyond the balk), it was F3.

[bretth]

so same situation but errant play made at third instead of second, play stands? rather out or safe? If I'm understanding this right then I would say yes.

[mstaylor]

If the F3 catches the ball, kill it and award second. If the F1 throws wild, let the play go. That's blacl letter and from the MLBUM.

[chuktownblue]

Don't penalize the offense for the PITCHER's mistake.

In this instance, the PITCHER didn't make a mistake (beyond the balk), it was F3.

I'm not finding that rationale rational. The offense isn't being penalized.

The fact that F3 catching the ball determines whether the play is dead or not is what doesn't make any sense.


Edited: ok, a light bulb kinda came on. If I look at it in the same way as obstruction, it doesn't seem wacky anymore. If a play is being made on obstructed runner, play is dead. If no play is being made, play continues. In the balk case, if the throw from the pitcher is caught, it's a play on the runner, and dead. If it goes wild, play continues. Coincidence? At least it makes sense to me!

[robbyrudd455]

If the F3 catches the ball, kill it and award second. If the F1 throws wild, let the play go. That's blacl letter and from the MLBUM.

You got it chief! Kill it when F3 catches the throw.

[AugieDonatelli]

I'm not finding that rationale rational. The offense isn't being penalized.

The fact that F3 catching the ball determines whether the play is dead or not is what doesn't make any sense.


Edited: ok, a light bulb kinda came on. If I look at it in the same way as obstruction, it doesn't seem wacky anymore. If a play is being made on obstructed runner, play is dead. If no play is being made, play continues. In the balk case, if the throw from the pitcher is caught, it's a play on the runner, and dead. If it goes wild, play continues. Coincidence? At least it makes sense to me!

Rule 8.04 APPROVED RULING #1: In cases where a pitcher balks and throws wild, either to a base or home plate, a runner or runners may advance beyond the base to which he is entitled at his own risk.

If the throw is wild, the runners are given the opportunity to advance farther than the base they would be awarded. Without a wild throw to a base or the plate, there is no advance even remotely possible, so it's a dead ball and runners advance their one base only. The rule is written this way so that an aggressive base runner can't claim that he was merely advancing on the balk if he makes an attempt to take the extra base(s).

[batterup]

If he had pitched the ball - you play on and if each runner advances one base, you disregard the balk.

If there is no pitch, kill the play and award the base.


I meant this in reference to the play in question. Sorry for the confusion.