Balk? Coming to Set...

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Don Mueller

This is clearly a balk.
You cannot simulate your pitching motion while off the rubber.
If he is in his set position when he moves his pivot foot to the rubber, then he must have been simulating the set position while off the rubber.
If he is bringing his hands to the set position while simultaneously moving his pivot foot to the rubber, as in OP, then that is the same thing.
This technique used by a sophisticated pitcher is clearly a deceptive move.

Whether or not you call it is another matter, but technically speaking there is no doubt it's a balk.

You are making an assumpition that he was simulating his "motion" off the rubber. There is no indication of that. If he did, that would be the reason for a balk, not for coming to the rubber set.

Coming to the rubber set is not a balk, at least not by rule.