BALK OR 'NO' BALK

[ozzy6900]

I go through this constantly with my son (RHP). He gets nailed with balks when he makes no motion to the plate but gos for the pick-off.

FED rules with the pitcher in the Set Position.

The RHP gets screwed most of the time because we blues don't give him what he is allowed to by rule. There is no rule that says a RHP has to step off to throw to 1st! Why do we allow coaches to argue this? A RHP has to either lift his leg or use a slide step in order to get his motion going whether he is going to the plate or not. That in itself is not a "motion to the plate". It is part of the pitching mechanic. The LHP has to do the same thing! The RHP has to turn and the LHP does not. It is simple pitching mechanics, people!

Now let me ask this. If a RHP lifts his leg, turns and throw to 1st is it deceving the runner? Yes it is. So is the LHP deciving the runner with that great move that everyone loves (a-la Andy Petit)!