Do You Agree With This Balk Call? Reds/Pirates

[Spence]

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If so what part of the move is a balk?

[nopachunts]

Originally Posted by Spence

MLB.com Gameday | MLB.com: Gameday

If so what part of the move is a balk?

Balk all day long. Look at the replay from the 3B view. Based on his step, I would judge as did U1 that F1 commited to make the pitch. F1 steps toward the plate and then throws to 1B.

[ozzy6900]

He's giving every indication that he is gong to the plate, then he makes the move to 1st. I've called this many times on lefties.

[jicecone]

Absolutey a balk. He gained more distance torwards home plate then to first base. Good call. Very hard to see and call in a two man system.

[bossman72]

Good rule of thumb (not an absolute). If a lefty does a move to first and has to throw sidearm, it's probably a balk. If you're body is moving away from something, it's tough to throw overhand. Almost every time I've seen a step balk called on lefties, they have to wing it over there sidearm because all of their body's momentum is going toward home.

[STL_UMP]

Originally Posted by bossman72

Good rule of thumb (not an absolute). If a lefty does a move to first and has to throw sidearm, it's probably a balk. If you're body is moving away from something, it's tough to throw overhand. Almost every time I've seen a step balk called on lefties, they have to wing it over there sidearm because all of their body's momentum is going toward home.

Good tip.. thanks.