Yet Another Balk Question

[TBrown]

Over the years I have heard many different answers to this question. I'm hoping the great minds here can help me reach a consensus.

When a RH pitcher is in contact and turns his body to look at first, would you balk him (under LL Jrs/OBR)?

I've been told:

A. Only if he is set

B. Yes, it's a fake to first

C. Only if it's a quick turn of the shoulders

Then there is also this at the end of 8.05: "Umpires should bear in mind that the purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. If there is doubt in the umpire’s mind, the “intent†of the pitcher should govern."

This makes it sound like it's only a balk if the pitcher turns his shoulders to fake the runner back to first, but it's fine if he just turns them slowly to look at the runner?

Did Angel Hernandez balk the Dodgers for this the other night? Or was it the twitch after the shoulder turn? http://mlb.mlb.com/v...ent_id=13825659

Then on this one it looks like he was allowed to turn his shoulders and then was balked for the move to first when he twitched his front leg first and set it back down before stepping to first with it? http://mlb.mlb.com/v...tent_id=9307143

I know that there are a lot of balks called at the MLB level that we let go, such as the little twitches, etc.

[grayhawk]

He's allowed to turn his shoulders before he comes set. Not sure why the first balk was called. Maybe you could say if he moved his shoulders fast enough that it's a feint to first?

[TBrown]

He's allowed to turn his shoulders before he comes set. Not sure why the first balk was called. Maybe you could say if he moved his shoulders fast enough that it's a feint to first?

Thanks. I was thinking it might have been the twitch of the right arm after he turned back. I was confused the first few times I saw it

[Mr Umpire]

First one, based on Hernandez's explanation with moving his right arm and F1's reaction to the explanation, it was for the twitch of his right shoulder when turning back.

Second one, was for the step of his left foot. He started then stopped his motion to the plate.

[Mr Umpire]

F1 can move his shoulders prior to coming set. As long as he doesn't do it as a fake to 1B. That usually would entail how quick he does it and if any other part of his body moves toward 1B as well. Such as his free foot "adjusts" to compensate for the movement. But, once he comes set, he can't move his shoulders toward 1B unless he is throwing to it, at least not a RHP.

[mstaylor]

I pick A and C. He can't turn once he's set. He can turn but not quickly or hard, that becomes a feint.