Mt. Union Baseball

[fanofthegame]

just a question on curveball4969's post:

you said that Goodling look good last year, but he is not the Trojans ace. Don't quite follow

[bleacherfan]

i saw that lefty pitch a couple times last year and he balked about 10 times each game--- he always stepped toward the end of the dugout and threw to first--- thats a balk- you have to step directly towards the bag-- i dont know if they dont know the rules there but if i was a coach id protest every game--- he also twists from the hip to look at 2nd and 3rd and thats a balk-- those umps better read the rules or does the dynasty supersede the baserunners being decieved by a pitcher in mt union--- the fan---

[hombre]

Well, bleacherfan, I'd say you need to learn a little about a lefthander's pickoff move. Dixon steps to the first base side of the 45 foot mark each and every time he throws to first. He's pitched in playoffs in various sections of the state and has rarely been called for a balk.

For you to say he balked 10 times in a game shows how astute you are at hyperbole, not your knowledge of pickoff moves. Ever hear of someone having a great move or are you hellbent to accuse a superb program of resorting to some sort of "influence" to win games? Find some real proof or chill out.

P.S. The only twisting I see is in your prejudicial logic.

[bleacherfan]

well well-- you just admitted the pitcher in question balks everytime he makes a move to first-- i looked up the balk rule and under rule 6-2 art. 4b and i quote "balk... failing to step with the non-pivot foot directly toward a base (occupied or unoccupied) when throwing or feinting there in an attempt to put out or drive back a runner... ---- that 45 deal was changed about 2 or 3 years ago because the rule clearly states you cant decieve a runner so they put the rule in to step DIRECTLY towards the base thus making what you call a great pickoff move a balk every time--- the fan--- p s im thinking about taking the test to become an ump-- so if i do you better hope i dont get any games in mt union--- pss-- better tell your boy his great move better be changed or its going to be a long year-- psss-- unless of course like i said before- maybe the dynasty supersedes the rules in mt union--- the fan---

[hombre]

Here's a direct quote from the 2009 high school baseball rulebook casebook: " to comply with the requirement to step directly toward (1B) the pitcher must step to the first base side of a 45 degree angle between center of the pitcher's plate and between home and first base." So where has the rule changed? It's you're kind of umpire who develops his own rules that causes the problems in high school baseball. Do yourself a favor and at least read the rules before you take that umpire's test...please for everyone's sake.

[dirtydan147]

Think Sheldon Leonard is a fine coach!!! He could possible be one of the best coaches in Mount Union.

[longball5]

all of Nick's leftys balk....when they step, they throw across their bodies to make the throw to first....you don't teach people to step one way and throw another way for any position (unless you are deceiving the runner)....

and it's a shame it doesn't get called more often...but that is the legacy at work...

[PIAAOfficial]

I have seen the "Lefty" pitch several times last year, even though his move COULD be called for a balk, there are not too many umpires willing to call it a balk due to the fact that it is a great move. Please consider this-- shouldn't we let the PLAYERS decide the game, and not the umpires!

[switch00]

Even though opposing players and fans believe Dixon is "balking", the call has been rarely called by a numerous amount of umpires. So clearly the move is not a balk. Those who have called it once did not call the exact same move a balk on Dixon's next attempt. So his move obviously follows the 45-foot mark shown in the Piaa 2009 handbook and those who still complain who know nothing about rules should go and read it.

[D5@6fan]

Just a little outside insight on this subject from a baseball coach. Getting a lefthander who is good at this is a huge advantage. The biggest thing though is that you rarely ever get a balk called in high school because umpires with a 2 man crew are not in proper position to give the 45 degree and toe point an adequate look. I have a pitcher who it deadly with this move and uses it to his advantage and have found that there are very ffew umpires around who truly understand all the balk rules and can pick the little details up. Most times when he got called for a balk it was by umpires who let opposing coaches get into their ear after a couple of these. you can't criticize a player for being good at something, it is no different than having a good catcher who can frame pitches to pick up strikes. These are things that good ballplayers do to make themselves better. All in all it is a very fine line between balk and no balk for those who are good at it and with the 2 umpire system that line becomes bigger