Be the Referee: Balks
May 27, 2015
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains the often-misunderstood baseball balk rule.
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment - Balks - Listen
One of the most misunderstood rules in all levels of baseball deals with the pitcher and the balk rule.
The balk rule is in place to make sure that the pitcher does not cheat to gain an unfair advantage on a baserunner who is either attempting to steal a base or advance to that next base.
In high school, whenever a pitcher commits a balk, the ball becomes dead immediately. The pitch does not count, and simply, all runners on base advance one base.
Under professional rules, when watching the Tigers, you’ll notice that if the pitcher balks – and it’s followed immediately by a pitch – and the hitter then puts the ball in play – and advances to at least first base – the balk is ignored, and we now go based on the ball put in play.
Past editions
May 18 - Baseball Pace of Play - Listen
May 11 - Fair or Foul Ball? - Listen
May 4 - Non-Glare Helmets - Listen
April 27 - Vern L. Norris Award - Listen
March 23 - Deciding the Game - Listen
March 16 - Block/Charge Call - Listen
March 9 - Dive on the Floor - Listen
March 2 - Primary Areas - Listen
Feb. 23 - Too Much TV - Listen
Feb. 16 - Video Clip Library - Listen
Feb. 9 - Cheer Safety - Listen
Feb. 2 - Basketball PA Announcers - Listen
Jan. 26 - Wrestling Health Concerns - Listen
Jan. 19 - Basketball Physical Contact - Listen
Jan. 12 - Video Review Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 29 - Video Review Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 17 - Registration Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 10 - Registration Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 3 - Legacy Program - Listen
Nov. 26 - Sideline Management - Listen
Nov. 19 - 7-Person Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 12 - Blocking Below the Waist - Listen
Nov. 5 - Tournament Selection - Listen
Oct. 29 - Uncatchable Pass - Listen
Oct. 22 - Preparation for Officials - Listen
Oct. 15 - Automatic First Downs - Listen
Oct. 8 - Officials & Injuries - Listen
Oct. 1 - Overtime - Listen
Sept. 25 - Field Goals - Listen
Sept. 18 - Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 11 - Pass Interference - Listen
Aug. 25 - Targeting - Listen
Bullock Creek Hosts 35 Aspiring Umpires
January 27, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
More than 35 aspiring baseball and softball umpires met for instruction from a number of veteran officials as part of the Mid-Michigan Clinic on Jan. 21 at Bullock Creek High School.
High school-aged umpires who received instruction are part of the MHSAA Legacy Student Officials Program, which works to provide opportunities and mentoring to high schools interested in becoming part of the officiating avocation.
Saturday’s instructors included 10 who worked at the college level and three who worked in the minor leagues last season. The clinic received financial support from the Mecosta-Isabella-Clare, Midland and Bay Metro officials associations, plus all adults who attended including those who presented. All legacy umpires also received indicators, brushes and hats as part of their clinic experience.
“An excellent staff provided a full day of training, and it was wonderful to see so many faces young and old,” said MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl, who serves as director of officials. “This is one of the largest clinics of its kind in our state, and we’re thankful for the work of all who had a hand in such a great event to provide instruction for our next generation of umpires.”
Officials also received assistance from the Lancers’ baseball and softball programs, and in return all revenues from the clinic were donated to those programs.