[Syd Thrift]

...but I modified the balk calls to make them more descriptive. To put this in, go into your data/text folder in OOTP, open english.xml, and replace category 17 with the information in this little file. Kind of complicated, but hopefully it's worth it. Balks get called for a reason, peoples!

[M's rule]

Syd,

I grabbed some of the good bits from this file and put them into the text database, so the next time a fresh XML file is released, everyone will get the benefit of your work.

I stayed away from the entries that mentioned the pitcher using the stretch, since I'm not sure we can make the assumption that a pitcher doesn't ever use his full windup when there are runners on base.

Thanks for the minimod.

[Syd Thrift]

No problem, although I might want to further adjust those to eliminate references to "the stretch" because I think I added one entry per balk rule (not coming to a full stop from the stretch might have gotten 2 because it's a pretty common call).

[M's rule]

If it will help, here's a copy of category 17 as it exists in the database right now. If you want to do some more tweaking, post your observations here. Also be aware that I can add new entries, so you don't have to work within the entries that already exist.

Ignore the [E] and [D] that precede each text object. . . .

[E] [D] Here's the delivery...(nl)No, it's a move to first...(nl)The umpire calls a balk!(nl)He's saying that [%personname L] swung his lead foot past the rubber(nl)before he tried to pick off the runner. (#54)
[E] [D] looks to first...(nl)[%personname L] starts to throw to first but decides against it...The umpire stops play...(nl)A balk has been called. (#1407)
[E] [D] throw to first base...(and it looks like [%personname L] has the runner caught!(nl)What an excellent pickoff move!(nl)Wait...(nl)There's a break in the action...(nl)The umpire has declared that [%personname L] didn't step directly toward the base when he threw the ball.(nl)That's going to be a balk. (#6258)
[E] [D] quick pitch...(nl)And the umpire is signaling a balk!(nl)[%personname L] threw that ball before the batter was ready. (#6260)
[E] [D] the pitch...(nl)strike...(nl)wait a minute...(nl)the ump is calling a balk here! (#6261)
[E] [D] the umpire calls time...(nl)it's a balk!(nl)[%personname L] is not happy with that call. (#6262)
[E] [D] the umpire calls time...(nl)it's a balk!(nl)[%personname L] is hopping mad... (#6263)
[E] [D] and here's the pitch...(nl)The umpire signals for time...(nl)A balk has been called!(nl)Looks like [%personname L] didn't have his foot on the rubber when he threw that one. (#6266)
[E] [D] they're calling a balk on [%personname L]...(nl)that'll bring the skipper out...(nl)he's not happy with the ump...(nl)but he finally drops the argument...(nl)and trudges back to the dugout. (#6269)
[E] [D] and the ump signals a balk!(nl)[%personname L] just shakes his head in amazement... (#6270)
[E] [D] hold on!(nl)The home plate umpire has stopped play...(nl)he's calling a balk!(nl)[%game pitcher] barks something to the umpire...(nl)he's lucky he didn't get tossed! (#6272)
[E] [D] it's a balk!(nl)[%game pitcher] is not a happy man...(nl)he said something to the man in blue...(nl)[%game catcher] comes out to calm him down...(nl)[%game pitcher] is lucky he didn't get tossed! (#6273)
[E] [D] balk!(nl)[%game pitcher] is disgusted with himself...(nl)he'd better compose himself quickly. (#6275)