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

[Carl Childress]

Originally posted by Tim C
You are still unsure?

Unbelievable.

Tee: Concerning Mike Sears: You said "unbelievable." I say: "Amazing!" (grin)

Now, here's my take on this:

1. Obviously, it SHOULD be a balk if the pitcher (defense) conspires illegally to create an out. Jim Porter is 100% right.

2. Obviously, it AIN'T a balk. It's black letter law, plain as the nose on Durante's face. Garth Benham is 100% right.

I must admit that in my youth (the diary shows I was 20), I called a balk during a dead ball because of the illegal hidden ball trick.

Nobody said a word.

That's because even then, I was a noted rules expert. OR:

More likely, I was a noted a$$hole, famous for ejecting at the drop of a word.

Either way, quiet reigned at that Ganado, TX, 13u game. (There was no USSSA then, but the age is right anyway.)