Quote:
Originally posted by officialtony
JV game. Runner at 2nd. Pitching from the set position. the pitcher lifts his left leg and turns his body to 2nd base and leans at the runner and pauses just for a snitch and then comes to the plate. This is a hard one to describe but his body and leg do go towards 2nd a bit and he does pause ever so slightly and then turns to deliver the pitch. What bothers me is the discernible pause and the left leg and body leaning toward 2nd before he comes to the plate. With this little bit of information could I get an opinion as to a balk or what to look for to make sure this is/isn't a balk?
Thanks in advance.
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I haven't read the whole thread, so this may be repetitious. But: It ain't a balk, at least not in MLB.
It was the move invented by Luis Tiant (he of the exaggerated, wiggle stretch drop to the pause). It's a right-hander; he picks up his non-pivot foot and pivots half-way to second, then pitches. If you were a sentient being in the 70s, you'd know that. (grin)
It was intended to simulate a throw to second. It takes runners about 2 second to recognize what it is, and that is: It keeps the pitcher from focusing on the glove. If I were an offensive coach, I would love amateur pitchers who try that nonsense.
IIITBTSB!