[RPatrino]

Let's talk about the balk call on this, and not worry so much about the EJ.

The key to this balk call is NOT whether the pitcher disengaged or not. The balk was for failure to gain distance and direction toward the base the pitcher was throwing to.

To be a legal pick off move, the free foot (non pivot, the one not on the rubber) must not end up in the same place it started. The pitcher cannot pick the free foot up and place it back down. Thats a balk.

In my situation, the foot was'nt even picked up and placed down.

Hope that helps.

The confusion between FED and OBR has been lessened greatly since the "shoulder turn" rule in FED has been changed. I still get in trouble by killing the ball in OBR games though. In my experience, most common balks are failure to come to a complete stop, failure to step to the base, and failure to disengage on the fake to first. I still get a few right handers on the knee break, and a few lefties on the free foot crossing the plane of the rubber.

And for Carl, I called a balk on a pick at second, when the pitcher's initial move was toward the plate. He moved his glove and free foot forward toward the plate, prior to his turn toward second.

Bob