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MO, the best way to do this is to teach the pitchers a proper pitching motion, rather than telling them what not to do. Go over both the windup and the set.
When in the windup, a pitcher should: hold ball in throwing hand with arms apart, then step onto rubber with both feet facing home, then take the signs from the catcher. The pitcher should then bring his hands together as he takes one step back (toward 2B, not toward the side or home) with his free foot. Continuing smoothly, he should pivot his pivot foot, windup, and pitch, coming forward with his free foot.
When in the set, a pitcher should: hold ball in throwing hand, then step onto (or immediately in front of) the rubber with his feet pointed to third (first for a lefty), and go into "the stretch" if he desires, checking the runners as he would like. He should take the signs from the catcher, then come "set" by bringing the hands together while bringing his free foot close to his pivot foot, and then pausing (stopped) for a definite moment in a comfortable position with his hands together below the chin. Alternatively, the pitcher may wish to be in "the stretch" with his feet close together, and then come "set" without moving his free foot. Thence he should check the runners with his head only, not moving his shoulders. If he wants to step off, he should move his pivot foot off the rubber sideways (toward 2B) and then drop his arms before reengaging. If he wants to throw/feint to a base, he must step toward that base as he throws/feints, or step off first. He cannot feint toward 1B unless he first steps off; a feint is allowed towared 2B or 3B. Otherwise, he should rear back and pitch, lifting his free foot up, back, and forward strongly.
If we want to throw to the base, we throw there quickly and directly; we can worry about more deceptive tactics once we have the fundamentals sound. Teach pitchers that, once they have decided to pitch and started a motion with that intent, that they should follow through with the pitch, rather than attempting to abort it, even legally.
These procedures are not completely required--it is not necessarily a balk to deviate from the above. However, it will help you avoid most balks by avoiding "goofy pitcher moves" that umpires hate to see and hate to balk, but may have to. There are many balks that are unlikely to arise if the pitchers just use proper pitching mechanics and don't mess around.
Hope this helps; perhaps it is TOO basic for you. Comments welcome.
P-Sz
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