[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by oreillywv
With man on first, pitcher had made three pick-off attempts. Now the 1B is playing normal (deep), R1 has a good lead-off, and I back up a few steps from my normal tight coverage (3-man)crew. Pitcher whirls and throws to first. At about 3 feet off the bag, a glove + ball + helmeted head all meet up. Ball gets dropped. Safe. Is this a balk or a brilliant play? I asked the 1B, was he throwing to you or to the base? He was throwing to the base and just missed. Now for the great question; whisper to me how did you and the pitcher communicate on that play, was it through the catcher? No. The signal is: if I see the pitcher look back at 2B, the play is ON. Reaction please? Should a balk have been called?

Not a balk. 3' from the bag is "at the bag" by my definition. And, since F3 had a play it wouldn't matter.