Is this a balk in NCAA?

[grayhawk]

I seem to recall Randy sending out something about inside moves and that if the stride leg lowers before gaining distance/direction to 2B that it's a balk. Thoughts?

https://x.com/DanielGuerra_88/status/2071403102352077141?s=20

[TheLovejoy]

So these are tough angles to call, but I'm going to give my thoughts just because me and some of my seniors discussed this a couple weeks ago: Also, you're more experienced than I, so I'm not saying anything you don't know. Just trying to give my thoughts on what I look for directly. 

In any ruleset, if the leg begins lowering any direction besides toward 2nd base, it's a balk. So, even if it's going 'straight down' after he lifts his leg, it's a balk. That would be him 'gaining ground' toward somewhere other than 2nd base. So in your sentence, I'd agree. I just worded it differently. If it lowers before gaining ground toward 2nd, he's actually gaining ground toward somewhere other than 2nd. 

To me it looks like the kid in the black is probably ok, and I wouldn't balk it.
The kid in the red, it looks like he's coming down first, then swings it back. I'd balk that. 

[grayhawk]

Here is what Randy Bruns said:

That's a balk.  Pitcher must "raise the lead leg and immediately, with a continuous motion, step directly toward second base."   That was not a continuous motion.

[Velho]

What are thoughts for OBR?

[BLWizzRanger]

Here is what Randy Bruns said:
That's a balk.  Pitcher must "raise the lead leg and immediately, with a continuous motion, step directly toward second base."   That was not a continuous motion.

This might be a little word play - apologise in advance.

Having an issue here with the word 'continuous.' It is continuous in that he doesnt stop. What he isnt is smooth or not allowed to pump his leg. And I see the 'pumping' by his foot doesnt hit the ground on the initial step trajectory. He has to raise it, ever so slightly, and twist his body to allow his foot to step to the base on the new trajectory.

I hate the word 'smooth' here but I can get behind the leg pumping explanation. Thoughts?

[grayhawk]

9 hours ago, Velho said:

What are thoughts for OBR?

I honestly don't know. It seems like this kind of move happens unpenalized in MLB. This is a HS kid and I asked him if he's been balked for it and he said not yet. I'm not current on NFHS rules, so not sure what is correct there.

[JSam21]

My thoughts... If the foot touches the ground while gaining ground towards the base, we are good. If it doesn't and raises again, we are not good. 

[TheLovejoy]

5 hours ago, JSam21 said:

My thoughts... If the foot touches the ground while gaining ground towards the base, we are good. If it doesn't and raises again, we are not good. 

The trick with this is that he can lift his leg, and the leg can be coming straight down, or even at a slightly downward angle toward home (probably very little or he'd fall toward home, but nonetheless toward home), and then at the bottom swing it back behind the rubber and then you'd have him stepping toward the base, and it would be ok. 

[grayhawk]

On 6/30/2026 at 8:46 AM, Velho said:

What are thoughts for OBR?

I asked an MLB umpire and he said it's a misdemeanor and not a felony, so he probably wouldn't call it. But he would mirror/support a partner if it was called.

[grayhawk]

BTW, the one I am talking about is the one in the replies, not in the first post of that thread. The one in the first post is a clean move. The one in the replies where F1 drops his stride leg down before stepping to 2B is the NCAA balk.