Simple Balk Question

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by cookie

What about an RH who in the SET position spins on his free foot counterclockwise in one continuous motion stepping toward second with his pivot foot gaining distance & direction (perhaps to catch R1 stealing or just to throw to an occupied 2nd base?).

Wouldn't that be a balk?

Definitely agree it is a balk however, besides Peggy Flemming, what pitcher with any sense would make a move like that. I agree I haven't seen it all, but I have never seen a pickoff attempt like that.

[cookie]

"...Assuming you typed that correctly (spins off the FREE foot and steps with the PIVOT foot), then, yes, that's a balk."

Yes, I wrote it correctly, and the reason I mention this "counterclockwise" spin off the free foot that ends up with a step toward second with the pivot foot (pivot foot did not step directly backward...) is that there was a post recently somewhere about a MiLB umpire who called a balk to second on an F1 and gave the explanation that F1 had "spun off his foot". I could only think of this possibility...