Quote:
Originally posted by Dave Hensley
In the situation as given, the pitcher is deliberately simulating a pitching motion with his pivot foot. How is this different from the pitcher who steps off while raising his hands over his head in a simulated windup motion? In both cases, the pitcher is deliberately deceiving the base runner with a BS move. Balk it and nip that s--t in the bud.
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How is it different? I'll tell you... The pitcher only disengaged the rubber with their pivot foot (i.e. did not simulate a pitch).
I'm not sure how or why a balk should be called on a move expressly allowed in the rules. Granted the move was exaggerated (high and slow - is there a breakpoint on what is too high or too slow?), what other legal movements do we balk???
...a pitcher, coming to the set position, slowly brings his hands together high above his head and slowly brings thems down, then quickly steps towards 1st with their non-pivot foot and throws. Is this a balk since a legal move was performed in an slow, high and exaggerated manner?
I do remember one thing about balks that I was taught years ago and that was, If it fooled you and the runner (thought he was going to deliver a pitch and ended up throwing to first), it was probably a balk. So this may be a case of "having to see it" on my part.