MiLB Ejection - Chris Marco Runs Casey Lawrence for Balk Complaints in Both Games of Doubleheader

Minor League scheduling contributed to a Triple-A ejection in Buffalo as umpire Chris Marco ejected Bisons pitcher Casey Lawrence for an extended balk complaint that started in Game 1 when Lawrence was called for a balk, culminating in a complaint that Worcester Red Sox pitcher Chase Shugart was not called for a similar balk in Game 2.

As 1B Umpire in Game 1, Marco called Lawrence for a no step balk during a pickoff play at first base, ruling a violation of Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(3), which states it is a balk when "The pitcher, while touching their plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base."

The MLBUM interpretation of this OBR 6.02(a)(3) called Stepping to a Base states, "If a pitcher turns or spins off their free foot without actually stepping, it is a balk."

The interp further requires the pitcher to "lift their entire non-pivot foot off the ground and bring it down in a location different from where it started and toward the base. The entire non-pivot foot must move in a direction and distance to the base. This will constitute a step. The pitcher is not allowed to lift their non-pivot foot up and bring it back down in the same spot where it started. In stepping, the heel of the pitcher’s free foot may not end up in the same spot it started."

When Marco, now the HP Umpire in Game 2, did not call a balk on Shugart, Lawrence (who had lost the first game and was a bench player for Game 2) was ejected from the dugout.

Video as follows:

Alternate Link: No step balk call argued over both games of doubleheader for MiLB ejection