balk vs no balk

[Bfair]

Originally posted by Michael Taylor
Steve:

That was my point. If he does his normal set but off the rubber then that's got to be a balk. If I'm wrong somebody please correct me but I would and have called that a balk with no complaints.

I think it important to note, Michael, that merely being in a position that could be interpreted as a set position (straddling rubber with hand in glove) is not enough to call the balk. You must consider how he got to that position.

You have to to judge that the player is actually starting "his stretching motion to come set" while not in contact with the rubber. There will be other factors that come into play. After all, I have seen pitchers merely stretch their arms upward in a true "stretch" to remove tightness. We don't want rookies walking away calling a balk on someone for that action alone. It is a judgement call as to whether you feel the pitcher "is coming set" while off the rubber. If you think it occurred, it is a balk regardless of whether a throw or feint is made.

Freix