Balk or No Balk

[njdevs00cup]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOFzOkMJHqw#ofWsHchnArA

[cookie]

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see a balk here. F1 from the set stepped directly toward first gaining distance and direction (and threw to the base. That's understood, even though we don't see it))...

[njdevs00cup]

Originally Posted by cookie

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see a balk here. F1 from the set stepped directly toward first gaining distance and direction (and threw to the base. That's understood, even though we don't see it))...

The question I have is whether he turns his shoulders?

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

The question I have is whether he turns his shoulders?

He has to turn his shoulders to throw. Once set, he can't turn his shoulders and NOT throw. (He can turn his shoulders to check the runner while getting his signs. (6-1))

It's a legal move.

[johnnyg08]

no balk...pretty standard pick off move...it does appear that he does twitch the knee of his pivot foot...but I'd have a tough time calling a balk here.

[cookie]

"The question I have is whether he turns his shoulders?"

I don't see any significant shoulder movement. However, the shoulder does have to (physically) move in the direction of 1st when he first STEPS to throw there.

If the shoulders were to move slightly toward third (after he came to the Set), that would be an indication of a pitch and he would be committed to follow through with a pitch. Any throw to 1st then would be a balk.

Also, he can move his head to check the runners as much as he wants after he comes to the Set (as long as he doesn't significantly move those shoulders). Any twitch of the shoulders could be viewed as feint.