[Paul L]

Standing upright and bringing both feet close together seems to be a natural preliminary motion. It ain't doing the hokey-pokey with his free foot, since he ain't shakin' it all about. The rule doesn't say that "the stretch" has to be a continuous, uninterrupted motion, or that each pitcher's stretch must look like what umpires are used to. Specifically, the rule doesn't say that the pitcher has to bring his feet and hands together at the same time, only that when he moves his second hand away from his side, he must go to the set position without interruption and in one continuous motion. This pitcher seems to have complied with that requirement.

The rule (redacted): OBR 8.01 (b) The Set Position. Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when he stands facing the batter with his entire pivot foot on, or in front of, and in contact with, and not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and his other foot in front of the pitcher's plate, holding the ball in both hands in front of his body and coming to a complete stop. ... Before assuming Set Position, the pitcher may elect to make any natural preliminary motion such as that known as "the stretch." ... Preparatory to coming to a set position, the pitcher shall have one hand on his side; from this position he shall go to his set position as defined in Rule 8.01 (b) without interruption and in one continuous motion.

The sitch: "R3. Pitcher is on the rubber taking his signs. He then stands upright and brings both feet close together, but keeps his hands at his sides (then pauses). He then brings both hands together in front of his body (feet completely still) and comes set, then delivers."

So ... After standing upright and bringing both feet close together, the pitcher has both hands at his sides. He then comes to the set position without interruption and in one continuous motion. Why is this a balk?