Pickoff Attempt At 2nd - Balk?

[umpjim]

Had a college coach show me a thing he taught his pitchers. In the set, hands together, F1 would have a slow subtle hand break a moment before the pivot and step to 2B. He said it was rarely caught.

Also there is the simultaneous step off and backwards throw to 2B that I'm starting to see more of. I balk that.

[bluehair]

Originally Posted by umpjim

Had a college coach show me a thing he taught his pitchers. In the set, hands together, F1 would have a slow subtle hand break a moment before the pivot and step to 2B. He said it was rarely caught.

Also there is the simultaneous step off and backwards throw to 2B that I'm starting to see more of. I balk that.

What advantage did F1 gain by "a slow subtle hand break a moment before the pivot"? What was the coach teaching". I don't get it.

We have a guy in our chapter who has a reputation of using his active imagination when calling balks...don't be that guy. But if you've got to be that guy, don't be my partner.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by bluehair

What advantage did F1 gain by "a slow subtle hand break a moment before the pivot"? What was the coach teaching". I don't get it.

I agree completely. No reward, all risk... not a healthy idea.

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by bluehair

What advantage did F1 gain by "a slow subtle hand break a moment before the pivot"? What was the coach teaching". I don't get it.

We have a guy in our chapter who has a reputation of using his active imagination when calling balks...don't be that guy. But if you've got to be that guy, don't be my partner.

He said the runner would think the pitcher was starting to go home and would be leaning. He said they were pretty successful with the move.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by umpjim

Had a college coach show me a thing he taught his pitchers. In the set, hands together, F1 would have a slow subtle hand break a moment before the pivot and step to 2B. He said it was rarely caught.

Also there is the simultaneous step off and backwards throw to 2B that I'm starting to see more of. I balk that.

I did about 33 HS Var this year and called 5-6 Balks. 3 were associated with the Hybrid pitching stance. The others were just obvious. How many do you call in a season if you are analizing to such minute detail?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by umpjim

Also there is the simultaneous step off and backwards throw to 2B that I'm starting to see more of. I balk that.

Where do they get this?

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Where do they get this?

Don't know but I'm seeing it occasionally. Can't be from the pros.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by umpjim

Don't know but I'm seeing it occasionally. Can't be from the pros.

You work college ball, and the move you described baffles you?

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

You work college ball, and the move you described baffles you?

I work very little college, JUCO, non conference, but I don't think you are picturing what I have described.

[MD Longhorn]

Can't help but chuckle.

So what do you do when "they" don't realize they are "they" and keep on acting like "they" act?

[RPatrino]

We have met the enemy and they is us.

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Can't help but chuckle.

So what do you do when "they" don't realize they are "they" and keep on acting like "they" act?

So your saying that I'm the "they" in Bob's post. That went over my head.
In any case I'm saying that there are balks that can be called with R2 and do not violate the IITBTSB rule of thumb.
Do you balk a pitcher that hangs everything in his look back to 2B in his delivery?