HP Umpire Will Little ejected Germany Manager Gregory Frady for arguing a balk call in the top of the 8th inning of the Canada-Germany game. With one out and one on, Canada batter Jimmy Van Ostrand prepared to receive a 1-1 pitch from Germany pitcher Harry Glynne. Replays indicate Glynne failed to step towards first base during the commission of his throw, in violation of Rule 8.05(c), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, Canada was leading 10-6. Canada ultimately won the contest, 16-7.
This is Will Little (19)'s first ejection of the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifier Stage.
This is the 1st ejection of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
This is the 1st Manager ejection of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
This is Germany's first ejection of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Wrap: Canada at Germany (Regensberg), 9/22/12
Video: Little calls a no-step balk before 1B Umpire Ben May calls baserunner R1 out; Frady ejected (UEFL)
Will Little is one of the best on the planet. Great call.
ReplyDeleteExcellent call by will, pitcher gains no distance toward first (pivots in his footprint) and hence a balk. Looked like a quick trigger didn't appear much of a warning was put in but that's par for the course with Wil. You have to have guts to make those kind of calls especially when you know you are right and not enough umpires at ALL level do b/c they are scared of the ramifications!!
ReplyDeleteIf I recall correctly this is the exact balk Cubby called against Felix Hernandez last year when he ejected Eric Wedge but it was never recored on MLB.com. Good call by Little, there are many minor league Umpires and even some Major League Umpires who just never call balks no matter what. I have never been able to understand why because I assume in order to get to the MLB you must know all the balk rules. But I don't think I have ever seen CB Bucknor, Phil Cuzzi, Andy Fletcher, Brian Runge etc. call a balk. They just don't ever call balks and that is probably one of the big reasons they are not playoff regulars like say Hernandez or Gibson or Cederstrom or Culbreth who are all over the balk rules and call them often. Good job Will!
ReplyDeleteThat UEFL video should be a training movie for how to call no step balks. GOOD JOB WILL
ReplyDeleteLooked like there may have been inadvertent contact/slight bump by the German manager with his elbow during that argument. And yes, nice call, Will.
ReplyDeleteTmac, the trigger might be quick because they might have the same rule as the pros. No arguing a step balk.
ReplyDeleteperfect call,
ReplyDeletethe one thing we don't know in a lot of these arguments is what was said to key the ejection,
looked like he came out of the dugout pretty pissed,
Excellent call. Tough one too - quick.
ReplyDeleteIs there any place you can watch these WBC prelim games?
ReplyDeleteSo does this mean his left leg/foot did not step toward 1st base? If so I agree I just want to make sure thats the reason for a balk. I see this balk all the time in high school ball and I also never see it called. I also can see how the plate umpire saw it and not the 1B ump. The 1B umpire has to watch for the pickoff so it would be pretty hard to see where his feet were. good call by the hp umpire.
ReplyDeleteJust type in worldbaseballclassic.com and you will be able to watch the games live
ReplyDeleteNot that I need to say this, but great call.
ReplyDeleteYou have to gain distance toward first base (or w/e base) with the step from the rubber. If you don't, then it is a no-step balk. Here, pitcher's free foot doesn't really gain any distance in any direction, so it is a balk because he threw from the rubber.
ReplyDeleteSorry, rookie here, but don't you have to step off the rubber before you attempt a pickoff?
ReplyDeleteAs a rightie throwing to first I mean...
ReplyDeleteAnon @ 11:16 AM. There's nothing anywhere in the rules that says a pitcher (RHP or LHP) has to disengage prior to making a pick-off attempt. That's a myth.
ReplyDelete@11:16a
ReplyDeleteDid you not watch the above video?
@Russ
ReplyDeleteHernandez has been called for this balk several times over the past few years. You can find the clips on MLB.com
clear balk...there is no way WL3 is going to miss that one...and Will, you EJ'd a manager with 'Deutschland' across his chest...even better...
ReplyDeleteYou need to be very careful calling a balk like this. The rule book requires distance and direction. Direction is clearly achieved, distance is not as clear. Draw a line at the back of his non pivot heel.......when he turns to throw to first, If his toes cross that line he has gained distance. He does not have to get completely out of his imprint, as some people incorrectly interpret. This is the reason why you rarely see this balk called on the major league level.
ReplyDeleteAnon 1:42...he needs to get out of his imprint or else he's gone nowhere...he needs to clear that back heel line with his whole foot...I'd like to know who gave you that interpretation?
ReplyDelete