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

[mikesears]

I have been reading this ongoing debate with great interest. I don't read this a current umpire but as one who umpired in the past and is still interested in understanding the rules of the game and I have yet to form a solid opinion. I can see both sides of this issue.

I guess what would help me out a great deal is understanding WHY the rule about a pitcher straddling or standing on the rubber without the ball was put into the rulebook and why this is to be called a balk. I guess a little history of the rule would help me.

My initial feeling is that the rule is there to prevent just such deception, yet I can also understand a dead ball cannot put a runner in jeopardy.