Quote:
Originally Posted by umpjim
Without runners this would be true although some would argue only in FED that it would be penalized with a ball. With runners this is a balk. F1 probably realized he shouldn't wind up in that runner config and stopped. Was no one yelling step off?
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For the pitcher, it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. If he hears "Step off!" and does so after he starts his pitching motion, he will balk. Even if he stops his pitching motion to step off, it is still a balk, because he failed to complete his pitching motion. It's unfortunate, but the only legal option that he had was to continue the pitch, and hope that the catcher can throw out R2 trying for 3rd (best case) or that the batter fouls the ball off.