re: Ben McDonald is wrong

quote:

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It was extremely quiet during that AB.

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It was extremely audible on TV.

As for the rule...as a college umpire myself, I feel that it was interpreted and applied properly in this situation. It is very difficult to evaluate intent, but a batter will, in his normal course of action raise his hand along with his verbal request for a time out. However, in this instance, he only verbalized it, and did so at an above average volume, so as to draw the balk.

When watching the game on replay last night, I told the others I was watching with, that this rule and its interpretation are equivalent to a simulated snap count in football. Since a balk is essentially a "false start" this is no difference than the nose guard or a line backer trying to simulate the snap count in order to draw a false start from an offensive lineman.