My Pitcher was Balked Tonight

[UmpJM]

On a move to 2B from Set. (Not that it makes any difference, but under OBR based rules.)

I did not see that he had done anything illegal.

When I asked the umpire why he had balked him (having requested and been granted Time, of course) he explained his call along the following lines.

1. He had attempted to deceive the runner.

2. He had made a motion to home prior to going to 2B.

When I asked for further clarification on point #2, he said this alledged "motion to home" occurred after my pitcher had begun to lift his stride leg to balance. The umpire agreed that my pitcher did "step directly" to 2B on his move. Personally, I believe that's physically impossible.

I was not amused. I dropped it.

The balk had no bearing on the outcome of the game.

JM