OK, I know I've seen this discussion before, but can't search so here goes....
OBR 8.01 Pitcher shall take signs from the catcher while standing on the rubber.
Is this a balk?
I had it happen last night in Dixie Boys District trny and I chose to warn the pitcher. He had his foot behind the rubber and looked in for his signs, then moved his foot in front of the rubber and continued into set position.
I was BU and PU says 'OK you can warn him, but that's a balk.'
IMO, it depends on intent. There is no penalty associated with 8.01, so I defer to the note to Umpires on purpose of the balk rule. "Prevent pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner".
If I had believed he was trying to simulate his stretch and set in order to draw the runner off and then throw to 1B without having to step, I would have called a balk.
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Bayou Ump
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