Would This Be a Balk?

[Carl Childress]

quote:

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Originally posted by Manny A:
Saw an interesting move by a pitcher in tonight's Reds/Braves game. Reds reliever Scott Sullivan, a RHP, was at the set position with R1. Sullivan would then look at R1 over his right shoulder instead of his left before pitching.

Now, if a pitcher turns a little while looking over his back shoulder like that, would it be considered a balk? I always thought that the reason we balk a pitcher for turning his front shoulder towards first is because this is considered a feint to first without throwing, a violation of OBR 8.05(b). But turning his back shoulder toward first isn't a natural move to throw to first, so this wouldn't be a feint, would it?

Or am I wrong in my understanding of the shoulder turn and why it is considered a balk?

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Manny:

Jim has, as usual, gone to the heart of the matter. It is not a balk if the pitcher turns his shoulders (except in FED) to check a runner. Nolan Ryan did it every time, and he walked a lot of runners to first base.

It is always a balk if the pitcher feints a throw to first.

For years some brain-damaged, right-handed pitchers have been checking on runners at first by looking over their right sholders.

Don't call a balk. Instead, buy stock in Ben-Gay or Sportscreme.

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Papa C
Editor, eUmpire