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<< Is this a legal motion. For example: right handed pitcher. Starts with pivot foot on rubber and non pivot foot behind the rubber. Instead of stepping or transferring his weight back to his non pivot foot he takes a step with his left foot first placing it in front of the rubber slightly followed by placing his pivot foot in front of and against the rubber in the proper position. >>
Coach I am going to guess there was runner(s) on base? If so the High School Federation Rulebook is very clear on that a pitcher who has his free foot entirely behind the backside of the pitchers rubber has no choice but to go home on his first movement. This is a balk ! A mechanical one at that.
To me an experienced umpire would see what is happening before the balk actually happens, like maybe in the warm ups before the game starts for each pitcher and (A.) make sure you either tell the pitcher you hope that is a move he does only for warm ups or alert the Coach of the mechanical balk and let him deal with it or (B.) what I do ( and I know I will take heat for this) I will call time when I see this starting to happen and ask for the ball from the pitcher and pretend to inspect the ball and tell the pitcher what he is about to do wrong and correct it before he pitches to the batter. Call it preventive umpiring 101.
Now before everyone gets all excited about this... I only do this in the first games of the season, especially if its a new rule in the Federation rulebook.
You have to remember that a balk is an action by the pitcher to decieve the runner or gain an advantage. So... what is the call? Has he gained an advantage? Did the runner dive back to the base or is this pitcher poorly coached or instructed at this level? This to me is where you must use your judgement.
On the other hand, after the season starts I will call it and know JUST as soon as I do balk the pitcher, expect the coach to come out and then have to explain the rule to the coach so he may instruct the pitcher on how to properly "mount" the rubber with runners on base.
I will also tell you all that after I have called time and informed the pitcher what he is about to do is incorrect and then put the ball live. In between innings, I will tell the pitchers coach what his pitcher was doing incorrectly and put him on notice that no more freebies.... get it straightened out before the pitcher returns to the mound.
Your mileage may vary !
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