Do you call this a balk?

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by gmtomko
Doing a high school JV game, 1 out, runner on first. RHP with pivot foot touching the pitcher's plate, leans forward in stretch position to take the sign. He then turns his shoulder to look at the runner while staying down in the stretch and turns back to look at the batter. I call a balk because he did not continue his motion uninterrupted into a set position. The coach got all over me saying his pitcher can turn all he wants as long as he hasn't come set.

I'm sticking with my interpretation -- unless someone out there has some better wisdom.

Thanks.

SL-Geo

In FED, by rule, this is a balk for feinting to first.

How often it gets called is another issue -- one that varies by area.