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Originally Posted by Steven Tyler
It is not technically specified as a balk in 6.1. How can you balk just standing still looking in at the catcher straddling the rubber? Did he simulate a pitching motion? Wait until he steps on before you balk if the pitcher does anything wrong. Quick pitch, illegal move, etc. If you want to tell the pitcher to take his signs on the rubber, feel free.
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Technically, it is a balk if runners are on base. That said, I'm not calling it.
FED 6.1 [clipped] He shall take his sign from the catcher with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate.
PENTALTY: The ball is dead immediately when an illegal pitch occurs. If there is no runner, a ball is awarded the batter.
If there is a runner, such illegal act is a balk. In both situations, the umpire signals dead ball.