You should not concern yourself as to where R1 is. Unless there is a throw to first, it does not matter where R1 is. You will know when he is stealing. You will either hear him running, or you will hear fielders shouting, "he's going!"

You should set up on the imaginary line between the plate and the edge of the pitcher's mound, and be facing the plate directly, with your head turned to watch the pitcher only. Nothing can happen without the baseball, and he is the one holding the baseball. If you are trying to keep one eye on the runner, you are liable to miss a little something called "balks."

After the pitcher is committed to home plate, turn your head toward the plate and track the pitch and be ready to move with whatever play occurs. If the pitcher makes a pickoff move, step forward (they like at least two steps, so I go right-left-pivot) and pivot to face first base.

For pickoffs at 2nd or 3rd, you need only pivot and face the base to make the call, no stepping forward required. But in two-man mechanics, you set up with your body facing home plate from both "B" and "C."

I hope this helps.

Man, I knew I was missing something :) :) :)


Sounds about what I do at C



Yes it does. Thank you

I've never seen a balk to 2B!

I have. must type something else

Details, please.

I believe the balk was called for stepping toward third rather than directly toward the base to which F1 threw. That is not balking to second.

I was told at a camp this year that they are now teaching a direct step toward 1B with the left foot and bring the right foot around to square up. What you described is what I learned also.

"They" need to get on the same page. I was told at a clinic this year to take the first step straight in toward the plate and pivot.

That would be a direct step with left foot toward the 45' line, then bring the right foot up to square.

A direct step toward 1B does nothing except placing BU 3' closer on a bad angle. It would be better to take a step forward then turn.

Actually, this may be more correct (rather more in line with what I was told).

I have bruises on the back of my head to prove it! (Downfall to knowing the Evans instructors too well ). At least they didn't break out the clown shoes ...

Surely.

Had a RHP pitcher in the windup with R2 and R3. Started his windup, realized he R2 was dancing way off the bag as the pitcher began his windup. F1 brought his non-pivot backwards and forwards legally, held the foot up, then turned and feigned to 2nd base.

6.2 in FED has this as a balk.

Yep - in FED you have to disengage the rubber before you can throw to a base from the wind up.

I'd probably balk him in OBR, too - it looks too much like his preliminary motion to the plate.

That's a balk for throwing to a base from the windup, not a balk to second.

Its a balk because he threw to second instead of where he was committed, which was home. Can we say we're both right?

Don't know why so many people on this board have their engines misfire over such small trivial matters. We both are calling this a balk, for the same reason, so what is the problem?