[DG]

Originally posted by Carl Childress

Because it would be considered a "highly technical balk", no runners move when the hands move together, and no one complains that it is not called. Everybody in my Fed association would balk stepping off from the windup with the wrong foot, but about half the association would not know this was a balk and the other half does not call it.

If I were a coach in "your neck of the woods," you would call it - or lose every protest when you didn't.

It's not a technical balk. It's a real balk because there are consequences when the runners are coached well. Stepping off slowly with the wrong foot (with hands remaining motionless) is technical. Everybody knows what the pitcher is doing - and why.

Moving both hands is, BY RULE, the start of a pitch. I would send my runner, and the guys in "your neck of the woods" wouldn't balk him, and I would laugh all the way to the bank.

You guys had better get you heads (and necks) into the rule book. [/B][/QUOTE]The runners are not coached on this subject, and nobody complains and there are no protests when not called. If someone would complain it would get called. However, everybody knows that stepping off with the wrong foot is a balk and everybody will complain. And players will be coached to move when the non pivot foot moves back. So how do we decide what is a real balk vs. a technical balk? So far it sounds like a technical balk is one where everybody knows what he is doing and nobody is concerned. So why does this not apply to this situation?

And what does my neck have to do with this subject? [/B][/QUOTE]Childress writes: I've written often about the technical balk of stepping off with the wrong foot. (Of course, you know that is not listed as a balk in the OBR. Right? You knew that?) At any rate, I won't comment further on that.

Another poster said that moving both hands and then pausing is a balk that isn't called in "my neck of the woods." I asked: "Why?" And you replied.

So I assumed you were from the same neck of the woods. I was just having a little fun. I'm sorry it didn't come across that way. [/B][/QUOTE] I don't know if I am from the same neck of the woods as the poster you mention. I thought you were referencing the color of my neck, which is certainly, and proudly, RED.

David Wells was called for a balk recently when he stepped off with the wrong foot in a game vs. NY. But I think he had started his motion and stepped off.

Last week I saw a left handed relief pitcher, in the top of the 5th inning of a FED game start with his right foot in front of the rubber. His first step was also in front of the rubber. The score was 14-2, home team leading, bases loaded, one out. Relief pitcher was the home team reliever. Since bases were loaded none of the runners were fooled, by the "balk", no one complained, and the game ended on a strikeout and a fly ball. I put this in the category of a "technical balk".

Now I am confused about what constitutes a technical balk and what does not. Regional differences may vary, but in these parts bringing the hands together and stopping is not called a balk. No runners are fooled and no coaches expect a balk to be called. If a coach wants to protest the non-call he will win, if I am UIC, because I know the rule. But I have never seen a coach complain. If I call it, I will have to explain it, every time.