Balk?? No Balk?? HELP

[DoIneedGlasses??]

I'm looking for some input on this.  I've attached a video of a pick off move my brother-in-law is teaching his son.  It looks like an obvious balk to me, but he says he went to a Little League Umpire training and they said it was legal.  Then we asked our local district UIC and he said the same thing. 

 

I've been playing baseball for 30+ years and I'm still stealing bases at age 46, but I've never seen anything like this move or I think I would have been picked off so many times I'd never try again.

 

Please tell me what you think.

Thanks,

IMG_0260.MOV

[mstaylor]

Technically legal but it is very,very borderline. I know many will balk it, as a matter of fact, most will balk it. If even just 75% balks it, is it worth it? I suggest teaching a jump step, jab step or an engaged turn and step to first. All three are very legal, should cause no red flags and will pick plenty. I would also suggest teaching an engaged wind-up pick, only to be used sparingly. Too much and they don't get fooled. The thing to be careful there is you have to be very sure to start the step before you start your hands. 

[DoIneedGlasses??]

How is it technically legal?  I'm confused how it's technically legal?  The step is nowhere near directly to the base being thrown to and clearly associated with the motion to pitch for a right handed pitcher.  The step eventually has the techical distance and eventual direction needed, but is not a direct step toward the base.  It's not like a lefty the same leg lift may be necessary to throw to first or home.

[umpcoachfather]

The main reason behind the balk rule is "deception".  I can see this causing trouble in games.  Also, he must step ahead of the throw, I see that causing the biggest problem with this rule, cause if that arm is in any way in the throwing motion while that leg is in the air, I'm balking him.   I'm with MST - Is it worth it?

[Thunderheads]

that's a balk..... and 99.999999% of all umpires will call it so ..........

[noumpere]

Once the lift is to or toward the balance point the pitcher cannot throw to the base "behind him" (so first for a RH batter).  The move shown is a balk.

[maven]

This. ^

[HeadHunterLA]

You would have to be perfect to pull that move off without balking, not worth the trouble.

[MPLSMatt]

I don't normally disagree with MS but I have a balk here too.  If he doesn't bring the knee up high and goes directly to first, we're golden but for me bringing that knee up is in no way associated with stepping directly to first base and is in fact associated with stepping to home (or 3rd or 2nd I guess).  Maybe I'm technically wrong, but I'd balk that all the way. 

 

Also, I don't disagree with teaching a windup pick, however, be sure that he knows that it's not legal to pick from the windup (without stepping of) under high school rules. 

[noumpere]

You would have to be perfect to pull that move off without balking, not worth the trouble.

Youd have to be more than perfect -- it is impossible (well, by rule -- maybe it's possible in the sense that someone might not call it)

[UmpJM]

Elephant balk. 

 

Since his free foot initially moves toward 3B as he lifts his leg to balance, he has failed the "direct step" requirement in 8.05( c ).

 

Balk all day, every time, all codes, any level where balks are called.

 

JM

[bam]

Someone explain to me how that leg lift from the set is a move directly toward first....

[Minnz]

In addition he never disengages from the pitcher's plate.  That back foot remains in contact the whole time which is a no no.

[HeadHunterLA]

In addition he never disengages from the pitcher's plate.  That back foot remains in contact the whole time which is a no no.

You don't have to disengage from the plate to make a move to first.

[mstaylor]

It is possible to lift your leg straight up, turn to first and throw. The chance of doing it correctly, maybe .1%. You will get it wrong, or as shown here, most will straight balk it anyway, so why teach it. Most say that as long as you just lift your foot enough to step you are OK. While smarter and easier to do correctly, you could still move your foot toward the plate and get balked. I understand the lifting is a red flag for most and that I am in a very small minority in saying it is possible, that just shows why you shouldn't teach it. 

[Minnz]

It is possible to lift your leg straight up, turn to first and throw. The chance of doing it correctly, maybe .1%. You will get it wrong, or as shown here, most will straight balk it anyway, so why teach it. Most say that as long as you just lift your foot enough to step you are OK. While smarter and easier to do correctly, you could still move your foot toward the plate and get balked. I understand the lifting is a red flag for most and that I am in a very small minority in saying it is possible, that just shows why you shouldn't teach it. 

What about the fact when he lifts the leg there is a pause, non continuous delivery, that is not normally part of his pitching motion.  At that point you balk ti right?

[HeadHunterLA]

 

It is possible to lift your leg straight up, turn to first and throw. The chance of doing it correctly, maybe .1%. You will get it wrong, or as shown here, most will straight balk it anyway, so why teach it. Most say that as long as you just lift your foot enough to step you are OK. While smarter and easier to do correctly, you could still move your foot toward the plate and get balked. I understand the lifting is a red flag for most and that I am in a very small minority in saying it is possible, that just shows why you shouldn't teach it. 

What about the fact when he lifts the leg there is a pause, non continuous delivery, that is not normally part of his pitching motion.  At that point you balk ti right?

 

That is correct.

[mstaylor]

 

It is possible to lift your leg straight up, turn to first and throw. The chance of doing it correctly, maybe .1%. You will get it wrong, or as shown here, most will straight balk it anyway, so why teach it. Most say that as long as you just lift your foot enough to step you are OK. While smarter and easier to do correctly, you could still move your foot toward the plate and get balked. I understand the lifting is a red flag for most and that I am in a very small minority in saying it is possible, that just shows why you shouldn't teach it. 

What about the fact when he lifts the leg there is a pause, non continuous delivery, that is not normally part of his pitching motion.  At that point you balk ti right?

 

Yes if he hangs it, certainly. To be honest, don't try to figure the idiosyncrasies of how to lift without balking, first few will try, second it is almost impossible so it probably a balk anyway.  

[JaxRolo]

In addition he never disengages from the pitcher's plate. That back foot remains in contact the whole time which is a no no.

It's is not a No-Mo

[sdix00]

@DoIneedGlasses?? - get a copy of Jim Evans balk video. I don't even need to review the video. This move is #9 on the quiz. Balk.

Best answers are @UmpJM and @noumpere

[GoodOldGus]

I'd call it a balk as well according to what's already been posted.  In addition, in my opinion, the fact that his pivot to first crosses the path of the plate he's essentially committing to "go to the plate".