In extra innings between the Red Sox and the Royals, Kansas City had runners on first and second base that they were able to advance to second and third thanks to what was initially being called a catcher’s balk.
Christian Vasquez’s mistake during Red Sox vs. Royals extra innings wasn’t actually a catcher’s balk
It rolls off the tongue nicely though.
At first, it looked like the umpire was signaling for a pitching balk, and everyone was confused because the pitching motion from Carson Smith looked just fine. But on replay, it was clear that the mistake came from catcher Christian Vasquez instead.
You can see what happens clearly in the video below, where Vasquez collects a ball with his mast instead of his glove. That little scoop with the cage of his mask is an illegal move.
At first it was being called a catcher’s balk. But a balk in that manner is outlined in the rulebook as if a catcher leaves the outlines of the catcher’s box before the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand, with the exception of an intentional walk.
That’s not what happened here. NESN’s Tom Caron pinpointed the actual rule, being when “a fielder deliberately touches a pitched ball with his cap, mask, or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person,” which was eventually noted on the broadcast as well. It was simply an error by Vasquez that advances the runners.
“Catcher’s balk” definitely rolls off the tongue better than just an error though (one of a whopping four from Boston on the night), despite that not being what happened in this particular instance. Luckily the Sox got out of the inning without further damage, otherwise Vasquez would have some explaining to do.
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