Balk for simulating ?

[SleptTilNoonLOL]

OBR rules - man on 1st, F1 straddles rubber, looks in for sign from F2, starts to "come set" while off the rubber but then sidearms a pickoff throw to 1st without stepping. Offensive coach wants balk, but from what I remember reading this is illegal in FED but not a balk in OBR. Reading online it seems there are some split opinions on this in the umpire community. I want to balk it because if this move becomes commonplace it will slow down games and lead to SH*#shows. Do I have rulebook support to balk this in OBR for taking signs while off the rubber + simulating pitching motion?

 

 

[Senor Azul]

OBR rule 5.07(a) tells us that a pitcher must take signs while on the pitcher's plate. But there is no penalty listed. It's a don't do that infraction.

NCAA (rule 9-1f) and FED (rule 6-1-1) both require the pitcher to take signs from the rubber but do penalize if the pitcher does not.

[DevildogUmp]

There is not balk for taking signs off the rubber; however, you can grab a balk for simulating a pitching motion:

 

6.02(a)(7) The pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch while he is not touching the pitcher plate.

[Senor Azul]

Post deleted.

Edited July 16, 2023 by Senor Azul
Deleted because it was wrong--don't want to mislead anyone.

[Jimurray]

Coming or starting to come set while off the rubber is construed as a motion associated with his pitch and is a balk. 

Edited July 17, 2023 by Jimurray
Commented on post was deleted as poster recognized an error.

[Vegas_Ump]

Had this same sitch in a LL Seniors tournament.

F1 never toed the rubber, so I did NOT put the ball the play!  I suggested that he toe to rubber so I can put the ball in play.  So hie did.  Then he stepped off to take the signs.  I called time, and told him Don't Do Dat!  The manager came out to give me a group, and I told him that the rules required the pitcher to be toeing the rubber before I can put the ball in play, and he must toe the rubber to take his signs.  He said, No!  He doesn't have to do that!  I suggested that both myself and U1 would enforce these rules strictly.  (It's a tournament after all!)   A few more exchanges, and then he sat down.

We put the ball in play, he took sign on then rubber, stepped off.  Then started a stretch OFF the rubber, and U1 and I sounded off BALK! in perfect harmony!

Mike

Las Vegas