-=> Greg Caliri took a called strike three for saying to Ed Grinnell <=-
 GC> Also, I have asked the question regarding the catcher's
 GC> balk that came up --
 GC> 
 GC> The question I asked 
 GC> 
 GC> Rule 4.03(a) says -
 GC> 
 GC> "Some have told me that the 'catcher's balk' rule only applies
 GC> when an intentional walk is being given, and the catcher steps
 GC> out of the box.  I thought I saw a catcher's balk called int he
 GC> late 1970s in a Red Sox game in which the catcher left the box
 GC> without the ball so as to fool a baserunner or bluff him back.
Are you absolutely sure the umpires called the balk on the catcher using
rule 4.03(a)? It has been known to happen that the reporters attribute the
umpire's call to the wrong rule.
 GC> Is any violation of position without the ball a catcher's balk,
 GC> or only a balk during an intentional walk situation? The rule
 GC> is vague on this, but MLB should know."
 GC> 
 GC> MLB is very good, albeit slow, in answering inquiries like this.
While I agree that the rule is poorly worded, I have no problem
interpreting it to mean that the only time a catcher's balk is to be
called is during an intentional walk (even if "intentional walk" is not
defined in the book). To quote 4.03(a) in its entirety:
"The catcher stall station himself directly back of the plate. He may
leave his position at any time to catch a pitch or make a play except that
when the batter is being given an intentional base on balls, the catcher
must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher's box until the
ball leaves the pitcher's hand. PENALTY: Balk."
The second sentence indicates that except for an intentional walk, the
catcher may pretty much do as he pleases to make a play.
... Defend the right to keep and arm bears!
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