Balk Call

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by Thaal

Read it again CoachJM
"after going into a stretch, coming to rest"
This is the set position.
Umpduck11, nailed it.

Thaal,

Umpduck11 may very well have nailed it - it would depend on what the pitcher actually did; which is a little hard to tell from from Pags' description. The key aspect that Pags omitted was whether or not the pitcher had brought his hands together prior to making the "circular motion" he described.

If he had, and then separated his hands to make the motion, I would agree that Umpduck nailed it.

If, on the other hand, the pitcher was truly in the "stretch" - and had not yet brought his hands together to come "set" - then he was fine and the action described should not be balked.

Some people use the terms "stretch" and "set" interchangeably. I think of the terms as they are used in the rulebook. Hence, my alternative interpretation of Pags' description of what happened and the proper ruling.

JM