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I have it as a balk as described, for the reason thatsnotyou stated. I had a version of this conundrum a few weeks ago in a JV game. P with pivot foot parallel would come set WITH his foot in a steppped-back-to-first base position, then would deliver the pitch. Looked for all the world like a balk but I don't think it was. He just came set in a funny position. But then sometimes he brought the foot back from that position to a more conventional set stance and then delivered, now I have it as windup out of the set position and balk. Took me a bit to process what I saw to be honest. I think I have this correct but would welcome comments

This sounds like a wind up from the stretch, no? Which would make it illegal.

You are right. R3 is out if he is tagged no matter what. If the 3rd basemen touches the base before the tag then the r3 is safe.

But he comes to a stop, then starts his motion with the left foot step back towards 1B to start his motion. Is this a balk/IP?

Runner on 1st, zero or 1 out. Line drive to second, I call out on the catch. Runner on 1st is trying to return to first base so he doesn't get doubled off. Second baseman overthrows 1st base and ball goes out of play. Where is the correct base for the runner who was returning to 1st base placed ?

Whenever I see something like this, I wonder if the person thinks that mechanics manuals were written on the back of a napkin after a night out and not something that has evolved over years of experience by umpires. Any mechanics for less than 4 umpires is all about positioning to put the umpires in the best location for the most likely of plays. In this case, with R1 we have: 1. Steal of second (best IP is deep B). 2. Ground ball to the infield, start of a double play (best IP is deep B). 3. Fly ball to right field and U1 goes out (best IP is B for the tag up at 1st). 4. Fly ball to the 'V' (either B or C are about equal as an IP because you will be adjusting to the fielders) 5. Fly ball to left field (best IP is B for the advance on the tag up) 6. Hit to the outfield (best IP is B for the play behind R1 or on the BR) and all the way down here: 7. Check swing appeal for a lefty (best IP would be C) So, this person wants to dictate the inferior IP for 5.5 of the 7 possible plays with R1 to be in the best position for 1 very rare instance of a check swing appeal for a LH batter? I'm just going to ignore that "advice".

When the pitcher is in the set position, with or without runners, he must come to a complete and discernable stop before delivering a pitch. (6-1-3)

A few colleagues were discussing this while preparing for the state tourney. No runners on, RH pitcher uses the set position with his pivot foot parallel to the pitchers plate. Pitcher comes set and starts his motion with moving his left foot back (towards 1B). Is this an illegal pitch under NFHS? A balk with runners on? I can’t find a reference. Thanks.

Quit barking at the umpires.

But you didn't

You should have restricted him to the dog-out. I'm sorry. I'll let myself out.

It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so

I'm so confused . . .

It wasn't obstruction, I wouldn't. At about the 5 second mark you see F3 cross over for the bad throw. The runner is already past him. If he had crossed in front of the runner, I would have obstruction.

inside and outside moves are both legal done properly.

I thought he had to spin opposite way because spinning to right is kind of movement toward the plate...??

Just like most balks, probably wasnt intentional...

Thanks for your analysis here. Very instructive. At what point would you call this obstruction?

HP Umpire Chris Conroy ejected Reds manager Terry Francona (Replay Review call stands decision that upheld 1B Umpire Ben May's safe [pulled foot] call on Sal Stewart; QOCY) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the #Reds-#Cardinals game. With two out and two on, Reds batter Bryan Torres hit a 2-1 sinker from Reds pitcher Brady Singer on the ground to 2B Spencer Steer, who threw to 1B Stewart as batter-runner Torres arrived at first base, ruled safe by 1B Umpire May and upheld (call stands) after Replay Review as the result of a manager's challenge by Reds manager Francona. Replays do not clearly nor convincingly indicate whether or not fielder Stewart kept his right foot in contact with first base upon catching the ball prior to Torres' arrival, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 3-0. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 10-3. This is Chris Conroy (98)'s 1st ejection of 2026.*QOC pertains to the Replay Official's "call stands" decision. This is the 41st ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.This is the 24th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 24 Managers, 5 Coaches, 12 Players.This is Cincinnati's 2nd ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 5; CIN 2; CHC 1; MIL, STL 0).This is Terry Francona's 1st ejection since July 26, 2025 (Willie Traynor; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).This is Chris Conroy's 1st ejection since April 27, 2025 (John Schneider; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]). Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs St Louis Cardinals, 6/5/26 | Video as follows: Alternate Link: Francona ejected arguing Replay Review call stands ruling on May's pulled foot call View the full article

You thought wrong. Who from or where did you get that thought?

Your knee doesn't bend when you push off. The knee pop was intentional to get R2 leaning?

Yeah, thats what I got. Try to do that spin move. I have to push off on that front leg to make the spin - not break the knee first and then push off.

I'm watching NCAA game Ole Miss @ Auburn. Ole Miss's LHP attempts to pick off runner at 2nd. He doesn't step off, he does the jump spin move and when he does, he spins to his right. I thought any pickoff attempt at 2nd, a LHP had to spin to the left, and opposite for RHP...??

I don't know where that Google link has been. I'm not putting it in my mouth, and I'm certainly not kissing my mother with it

Obligatory answer first . . . I've got a $75 call. This is what you get when you hire only one umpire who doesn't bother to move. But he has a number on his sleeve, so I'm sure he calls NCAA when he isn't moonlighting in Little League. Guys, if you are going to hang your hat on an RLI call, you damned well better be doing it up the line, not from behind home plate. Now that I got my snideness out of the way . . . Depends on your rule set (do they allow the defense to use the orange?) . . . but in most rule sets, I got nothing but a runner on first base now. F3 properly set up on the orange side, signaling to BR that he needed to go white. BR made sure he stayed in the runners lane until he needed to exit, then exited to go white. F2 made a crappy throw. F3 went to get the crappy throw, and crossed behind the runner (had he crossed in front, we would have obstruction). Some incidental contact was made which may have caused the runner to fall, but it wasn't obstruction, and it sure as heck wasn't interference.