Homer's Balk

[Appomattox]

I haven't seen anyone mention this from last night. Was it called before he threw the first pitch to the next batter? Is time considered called when a player is walking from the on deck circle to the plate? Does the ump have to give a play ball signal when the player gets there or does play naturally resume when he steps in the batter's box? Never thought of this before.

From the centerfield camera it looked like Homer came set in the full windup just before the batter put one foot in the box. The ump had a hand on his hip and was looking away from the plate. Homer stepped off and the balk was called by the first base umpire. Did he really think time was called? Or did he step off because he forgot to start from the stretch? I could just be remembering it wrong.

Maybe someone who recorded the game or has mlb.tv can go back and take a look.

Yes, first post. Hi folks!

[camisadelgolf]

He rolled his eyes (and I'm not sure why) just before he stopped off. He clearly believed time was called.

[Ludwig Reds Fan]

balks, and the strike zone.

The so-called tangibles, but in actuality intangibles of baseball.

[ThatsAStrike]

I just went back and watched it again. It was the top of the 4th with 2 outs. Homer had just walked Barfield after running the count full. As Rouse, the shortstop, slowly walked to the plate, both the umpire and Ross were looking in the direction of the Indians dugout. Right as Rouse put his left foot in the batters box (he bats left-handed), Homer walked up to the rubber in the windup position, which of course a pitcher would not normally do with a man on first base. Homer then stepped off the rubber with his left foot, which is a balk when a right-handed pitcher does that (he can only step off with his right foot, and then only towards second base or towards third).
Now, as for whether time was still called or not, I don't know. I have the same question you do: When a batter walks from the on deck circle to the batters box, is time called? And, if so, when does play begin again? As soon as the batter puts one foot into the batters box? Does anyone know?