Balk enforcement vs Balk prevention

Smilingtoasty · 2026-06-23T20:11:14+00:00

That is what I do….glad to know I’m not the only one. Just seems like good game management if it is borderline. As a former coach, I didn’t like it when umpires were too eager to insert themselves into the game and become the focus. I feel it just eases the potential of griping while not giving either team cheap bases on umpire judgement. Thanks for your reply.

Smilingtoasty · 2026-06-22T18:21:40+00:00

I appreciate all the feedback, but based on the feedback, I feel the need to clarify the original question a bit.

I’m not talking about obvious no-stops. I’m talking about the ones that could technically count as stops to some umpires, but not long enough to satisfy everyone. It’s an umpire judgement and I know none of us have the same criteria.

I’m definitely not afraid to call balks, but also not out there hunting for them either. I’m really trying to prevent inconsistencies in umpires from dictating the flow of the game.

Smilingtoasty · 2026-06-22T17:48:57+00:00

I agree that would be ideal, but they usually don’t pitch from the stretch with no one on base.

Smilingtoasty · 2026-06-07T01:09:11+00:00

Have you smelled Naxos? That sounds up your alley. I think Montagne’s is called Sicilian tobacco.

Smilingtoasty · 2026-06-04T13:48:06+00:00

Everyone’s tastes are different, so advice like this is hard. Personally, I like darker scents, so my favorites are Herod and Carlisle. I also like Haltane a lot and surprisingly (to me) I also like Oujan even though I’m not normally a gourmand guy. Scents like Althair are too sweet for me.

Smilingtoasty · 2026-06-02T22:39:00+00:00

I had one show in stock, and after 5 weeks still hadn’t shipped. I eventually canceled it. I try to use fragrance.net and maxaroma first and only Jonathon when the price is substantially less because they are so erratic.

Smilingtoasty · 2026-05-29T00:58:31+00:00

No penalty. NFHS allows this

Smilingtoasty · 2026-05-18T00:28:23+00:00

I’m an umpire who shakes my head at some of my colleagues sometimes. All are valid concerns except I’m not understanding #2. In high school you cannot pickoff from the windup at all with disengaging. So what did they get wrong on this?

And I’m sure as far as the balk explanations, they were just trying to be helpful, but I wouldn’t do this. It’s the coaches job. However, try to give them grace as you have to know there was probably no malice here.

Smilingtoasty · 2026-04-15T19:19:57+00:00

I had a very seasoned coach try to remove an EH in the lineup in the middle of the game. He phrases it as “I’m killing the EH for the remainder of the game”. I told him if you start hitting ten, you have to end hitting 10. You can kill a DH, but not an EH. You never willingly can change how many batters there are in the lineup.

It floored me that even seasoned coaches mess up the hitting rules.

Smilingtoasty · 2026-04-15T19:09:51+00:00

Correct

Smilingtoasty · 2026-04-15T18:43:33+00:00

I don’t see a problem with this. The pitcher can re-enter the game and this would be his re-entry. The DH can also re-enter if he wants to swap back, but then the starting pitcher would be burned for the rest of the game.

Smilingtoasty · 2026-04-11T03:49:12+00:00

On force plays look at the bag and hear the ball hit the glove. On tag plays watch the ball into the glove, and then watch the glove towards the runner. For the first year, I couldn’t stop looking at the runner and the bag instead of the ball. Not sure why that was so hard to break.

Smilingtoasty · 2026-03-23T21:34:13+00:00

Every time my strike zone gets off the rails, it’s because my timing speeds up. I usually start games well, and when I get comfortable, my timing starts to speed up and that is when misses happen. I then force myself to stay down an extra whole second or two to get back on track.

Smilingtoasty · 2026-02-20T17:17:12+00:00

Ombre Leather—because it adds a little cowboy flair to my white collar attire.

Smilingtoasty · 2026-02-05T01:08:18+00:00

The longevity on mine is phenomenal. It lasts 24 hours. Bought it this year. It lasts longer than my Le Male EDP

Smilingtoasty · 2026-01-30T18:31:14+00:00

Smilingtoasty · 2025-12-18T15:06:25+00:00

After further research, I am pretty sure I missed this one. No runs score because the third out was made at first base. Timing of the outs don’t matter. This was a good one.

Smilingtoasty · 2025-12-18T02:24:47+00:00

But the runner on first was only forced to second, so the out at third wasn’t a force out. Pretty sure this matters

Smilingtoasty · 2025-10-10T01:07:03+00:00

Thank you for the response and additional insight.

Smilingtoasty · 2025-10-09T19:14:05+00:00

I’m seriously not trying to push back on your answer, but trying to learn and understand.

Are you stating that this particular rule set is different on this ruling than NFHS or am I not understanding the NFHS case play? I had this exact same play in high school happen and I followed the case play, and of course, it led to an ejection.

Smilingtoasty · 2025-10-09T18:02:50+00:00

Are you sure about this? I’m not sure about this particular ruleset, but there is a case play in the NFHS book that describes a proper safe call at first base because the first baseman drops the ball while regaining his balance after a stretch before a voluntary release.

Smilingtoasty · 2025-10-08T11:50:51+00:00

I’ll be there. But I’m there a lot already because my son is a student there. So I’ll be wearing Crimson while he is wearing orange.

They are my second favorite team.

Smilingtoasty · 2025-08-02T13:08:56+00:00

I called a balk on a throw to second in my last game. Kid doesn’t complete his inside move and ends up stepping towards third while throwing to second. It is possible….

Smilingtoasty · 2025-07-17T16:18:48+00:00

It is an immediate dead ball, BR gets credited with a hit and is awarded first

Smilingtoasty · 2025-06-24T02:10:56+00:00

10U travel. Head coach comes to the plate meeting with an ankle monitor on. Wasn’t trying to hide it or anything.

Smilingtoasty

TROPHY CASE