MLB umpire says that you can balk with a dead ball!

[Jerry]

Now, now Bob. No need to get nasty. Let me respond to Garth first.

1) Runners can most certainly advance during a dead ball. Base awards and on dead ball balks!

2) A pitcher attempting a pick-off while the ball is dead is an entirely different scenario and issue. (As are Steve's football analogies.) This balk is unique from the others because of the very fact it can logically be called while the ball is dead, albeit presumably "in play".

3) It is listed specifically in the rule book as a balk and specific mention regarding the pitcher's intent in the comment section of Rule 8.

4) At least one PRO umpire's opinion was it is to be called a balk whether the ball is alive or dead.

5) The WUA is the bargaining agent for the Major League umpires, not an interpretive body.

6) The very fact there is so much discussion and diverse opinions regarding this scenario, by itself verifies the fact that this COULD be called a balk, and penalized accordingly.

Jerry