Did he balk?

[Dave Reed]

Originally Posted by Emperor Ump

This is a training guideline I was taught (Not at JEAPU). It doesn't appear in any rules book but gives a good consistent guideline as to what is gaining distance to 1st vs home.

The 45 degree guideine doesn't appear in the OBR rulebook, but it is in the NCAA book--9-1a: "(6) The pitcher must step directly and gain ground toward a base in an attempt to pick off a runner. “Directly” is interpreted to mean within a 45-degree angle measuring from the pivot foot toward the base the pitcher is throwing to or feinting a throw."

And it shows up in the Fed Casebook: "6.2.4 SITUATION B: With R1 on first, F1 attempts a pickoff while stepping at an angle but to the home plate side. RULING: Balk. To comply with the requirement to “step directly toward,” F1 must step to the first-base side of a 45-degree angle between center of pitcher’s plate and between home and first base. (6-2-4b)