Balk?
 

Varsity game. 3-2 on the batter, 2 outs, bases loaded. Pitcher is in the windup. He simutaneously steps back with his pivot foot and raises his hands above his head trying to get the runners sleeping (it worked).

I did not call a balk but then got to thinking that by raising his hands he might in fact be simulating a pitch.

He probably was -- depending on how he "raised his hands"

Sounds like you kicked this one... He simulated a pitching motion while off the rubber - balk-a-rooni!

Balk all day, all codes.

Agreed. If he raised his hands as he would in the windup, balk it.

Thanks for the input fellas...I'm always learning.

I see it a lot in summer rec ball playing under FED rules. Coach comes out saying that he stepped off with his pivot foot. I acknowledge that he did, but tell the coach that since he moved his hands first (which the pitcher ALWAYS does in this situation ;) ), that is why he balked.

I had a pitcher succesfully execute this move to pick off R2 and end the game a couple of weeks ago.

Elaborate, please.

F1, from the wind-up position, stepped back with the pivot foot, R2 took a bigger lead, F1 turned and got R2 ina run-down where he was tagged out.

The original post and my response were based upon the pitcher moving his hands over his head while stepping back with his pivot foot. Did this occur in your situation?

Of course not. That's why the move was successful and not a balk. It also points out that F1's don't "always" move their hands in these situations.