Comments on: Rules changes for next year include coaches, managers being able to bring interpreters to the mound

By: flosox

flosox — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:31:14 +0000

T-Mobile is the official sponsor of that fake-phonecall-throw-to-first right?

By: canadabaseball

canadabaseball — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:16:05 +0000

I would think tho you could still pick up and not throw to third still seeing if the batter is bunting. It’s been apart of the game since I remember should just live with it. It’s not like it’s some rule change that’s going to chance anything

By: stex52

stex52 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:35:55 +0000

How long would it take a manager to learn to say “Throw strikes, dammit” in Japanese?

By: stex52

stex52 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:31:47 +0000

As if anyone (umpires included) knew what a balk is anyway.

By: stex52

stex52 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:30:30 +0000

Multiple thumbs up. Well done.

By: binarymath

binarymath — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:15:09 +0000

Maybe the interpreter can moonlight by taking part in Sammy Sosa steroid interviews…

By: seeinred87

seeinred87 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:49:32 +0000

The rules say that he’s allowed to spin and throw to 2nd without hesitating toward 1st; it doesn’t mention anything about a steal attempt or anything. Maybe that’s what the intent of the rule is, but it makes it sound like a pitcher can throw to an unoccupied 2nd base with a runner on 1st just for the hell of it.

By: naliamegod

naliamegod — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:21:42 +0000

There is a massive difference between being able to learn a language enough to survive and being able to work in another language. Many many expats generally work in foreign places using their own language.

And IIRC, Ichiro’s English is actually pretty decent now. He uses a translator so he doesn’t accidentally say something stupid or get caught up.

By: deep64blue

deep64blue — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:23:20 +0000

Well I thought that would be fairly obvious – with a runner on 1st and the Pitcher not allowed to throw to 2nd stealing 2nd would be a heck of a lot easier!!

By: seeinred87

seeinred87 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 08:31:48 +0000

Just to back FinFan up, a pitcher can fake to any base except 1st, so long as he steps toward that base 1st.

And as far as throwing to an unoccupied base, a pitcher is actually allowed to spin around and throw to 2nd with a runner on 1st (for some reason).

Balk rules are so damn complicated.

By: nothanksimdriving123

nothanksimdriving123 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 07:51:51 +0000

84, I agree. If you are going to work for a company in a foreign country, only an idiot would not make every effort to learn their language, at very least the basics to get by. I found it utterly bizarre that Ichiro was still using an interpreter for post-game comments more than 5 years after coming to the US.

By: nothanksimdriving123

nothanksimdriving123 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 07:43:17 +0000

I actually saw it work in an MLB game a couple of years ago. Nearly fell off my chair!

By: brewcrewfan54

brewcrewfan54 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 04:35:16 +0000

Ahh I guess I wasn’t understanding what you meant. Now I get it. My apologies sir.

By: 84cubs

84cubs — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 02:39:12 +0000

Press “1″ for the Spanish interpreter, Press “2″ for Japanese Interpreter,…….or wait, heres a novel idea, LEARN TO SPEAK ENGLISH! Shouldnt be too difficult to find an affordable online program, right?

By: cackalackyank

cackalackyank — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 02:19:57 +0000

If we are gonna have interpreters come out to the mound can they also have beverage service too? Maybe some warm towels? Can a guy get a nice Brisket Sandwich? I know waiters….are they gonna have waiters on field…will they have to wear uniforms? Do they count as nutrition coaches then?

By: FinFan68

FinFan68 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 02:12:18 +0000

I thought that feigning a throw was only a balk if towards first base (initially) or an unoccupied base. I have seen pitchers turn to 3rd or 2nd base all the time without actually making a throw and I don’t remember a balk being called. But what do I know? I am admittedly more of a football guy than baseball. I thought the infield fly rule applied against the Braves was bogus too. I guess that’s just me.

By: cur68

cur68 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 01:33:05 +0000

This right here is why our country kicked ass in 1812. Dude’s KILLING it! That’s my fellow BeaverMan fan, folks. Give him a big hand. He’ll be here all season. Tip your waiters.

By: randygnyc

randygnyc — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:21:05 +0000

Paint771, I laughed out loud. I’m generally of a malevolent disposition, so you win the Internet today. SURPRISE, BITCHES!!!!

By: brewcrewfan54

brewcrewfan54 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:15:53 +0000

What do you mean if the pitcher “intends to throw to first and then stops?” That’s a balk now and always will be. If the pitcher is planning on throwing to 3rd he has 3 options currently, throw to 3rd, deliver a pitch or stop and get called for a balk.

By: ugglasforearms

ugglasforearms — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:09:45 +0000

This is the funniest comment I’ve ever seen on HBT!!!

By: hojo20

hojo20 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:02:45 +0000

Jerry Remy fell for the “third to first move” the first time he ever got on base.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:29:01 +0000

I think they are taking it out because teams now use it to see if the hitter squares around on the pitcher’s first move or not. They aren’t even trying to pick anyone off, they are just trying to get information about any play that might be on….which has led to its increased usage recently. They are probably doing it in the name of speeding up the game (as if anyone complains about baseball games taking too long).

By: paint771

paint771 — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:26:31 +0000

Or what if it’s a fake phone call? Like stretch, windup, and…oh man, that’s my phone. Sorry guys, my mother’s been ill, I just have to take this real quick and SURPRISE BITCHES!!! Throw to first.

Or if it’s a fake heart attack. Like, stretch, windup, and…ah!!!! Oh no! Oh, this is the biggest one I ever had!!! You hear that Elizabeth? I’m coming to join you honey! I can see the light!!! It’s so beautif…SURPRISE BITCHES!!! Throw to first.

OR, what if the interpreter comes out for a mound visit with a couple of coaches, and they’re all out there talking and they turn to leave but in the middle of the mound visit the interpreter and the pitcher switched places and the game got restarted and stretch windup but the first base runner thinks “hey, that pitcher has a goatee now and seems to be throwing left-handed all of a sudden. What the hey…”SURPRISE BITCHES IT’S FORMER PHILADELPHIA PHILLY TERRY MULHOLLAND WHO WAS THE INTERPRETER THE WHOLE TIME AFTER WE TRAINED HIM TO SPEAK FLUENT JAPANESE!!! Throw to first.

Honestly, I’m not sure management has thought this one through.

By: FinFan68

FinFan68 — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:04:21 +0000

They will add an unintended consequence with the new balks rule. If a pitcher intends to throw to 3rd and then stops the runner on first can do whatever he wants and the pitcher can’t throw to first. Is there going to be a time limit? The premise is dumb. Leave the rules alone. The interpreter is dumbs as well. It is a limited variable conversation. Does the catcher get to bring an interpreter too?

By: youknowwhatsgoodforshoulderpain

youknowwhatsgoodforshoulderpain — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:51:55 +0000

I’m a little surprised its taken this long to allow an interpreter. How long have we had foreign players that show off the 5 english words they know everytime a mic/camera gets in their face after a game??

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:23:58 +0000

Pitchers seem to be allowed to fake a throw to second base. Will they be allowed to make a fake move to third base, if they do not throw (or fake a throw) to first? Will they be allowed to fake a throw to third and then throw to second?

By: Marty McKee

Marty McKee — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:23:55 +0000

What is the point of changing the fake-to-third rule? How has it been hurting the game, and how will the new rule improve it?

By: The Dangerous Mabry

The Dangerous Mabry — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:11:37 +0000

Yes indeed. Anything that gives us a chance to say TOOTBLAN is a good thing.

By: icanspeel

icanspeel — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:08:53 +0000

I am disappointed they are removing the fake to 3rd throw to 1st move cause it is so awesome when it actually works once every year or 2.

By: chill1184

chill1184 — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:08:41 +0000

So would it be safe to say that we will see a slight uptick in balks this upcoming season?