[Rog]

Re: "Some respected umpires insist to me that even though the call of PLAY may be technically incorrect, the ball IS in play and the BALK must be called due to the OBVIOUS illegal act and intent to decieve. Thoughts?"

So if these respected umpires are going to call a balk when the ball is dead (as in your case - R1.. after a pick off attempt, time granted, F3 fakes the return. Pitcher gets on the rubber AS IF he had the ball, and PU NOT REALIZING THE DEKE, says PLAY! Tag on runner by F3.. );so, are they also going to call the out in this situation?????