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"1) Runners can most certainly advance during a dead ball. Base awards and on dead ball balks!"
Okay, and how vulnerable are they to deception and being picked off in those situations, Jer?
"2) A pitcher attempting a pick-off while the ball is dead is an entirely different scenario and issue. (As are Steve's football analogies.) This balk is unique from the others because of the very fact it can logically be called while the ball is dead, albeit presumably "in play".
Only according to your logic. Show me a reference by a reputable source that covers the ball presumably being in play and dead at the same time. Please.
"3) It is listed specifically in the rule book as a balk and specific mention regarding the pitcher's intent in the comment section of Rule 8."
And is this the only action listed specifically as a balk in the rule book? Damn, gotta get me a new rule book.
The intent it mentions is deception, which OBVIOUSLY is applicable when the ball is alive since the runner is not vulnerable to deception or pick off when the ball is dead.
"4) At least one PRO umpire's opinion was it is to be called a balk whether the ball is alive or dead."
Let's correct that: We heard, at least third hand, that an unnamed former ML umpire thought this was a balk. Now then, let's compare that to current working umpires who believe otherwise.
"5) The WUA is the bargaining agent for the Major League umpires, not an interpretive body."
Did anyone claim otherwise, Jer. I sought their opinion because while it may or may not represent ML opinion, it does represent the opinion of working umpires and very likely one of the authors of the J/R.
"6) The very fact there is so much discussion and diverse opinions regarding this scenario, by itself verifies the fact that this COULD be called a balk, and penalized accordingly."
Diversity? There are two or three amateur umpires who want to call a balk posting here, and one of them, at the beginning, based his opinion on his belief that the ball was still live. The rest, the vast majority realize that one does not call a balk during a deadball.
Additionally, difference of opinion in and of itself does not validate the differing opinion or we would still be debating that the hands are part of the bat and home plate is foul.
Sorry, Jer, you are on the short end of this one. According to Bob you are used to that.
Feel free to have the last word. I will not respond to any of your future posts on the subject. "You can lead a horse to water....."
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