NFHS Lodged ball - casebook plays

[cbfoulds]

Originally posted by Carl Childress
Here's another new play:

6.1.1j: With R1 on first base, F1, from the set position and prior to bringing his hands together while in contact with the pitcher's plate, (a) abruptly and quickly turns his shoulders toward first base in an attempt to drive back the runner; or (b) casually turns his shoulders to observe the runner at first base. RULING: Legal in both (a) and (b).

Have I been teaching this wrong all these years?

The pitcher can feint without arm motion. Right? In our area OBR pitchers always step off as they whirl their shoulders toward first. MLB pitchers do the same thing, don't they?

Wouldn't I call a balk if a play such as 6.1.1j -(a) happened in an MSBL game?

WOW!
Typically, I guess, for the FED's, they have tossed the babby out w/ the bath. Play (b) is clearly about the rule change where we no longer balk any turn of the shoulder. But (a) has been a balk under every code for exactly the reason CC notes; it's a fake to 1st.
This should make for some interesting discussions at the annual meetings with the state interpreters.

Carter