Is this a balk?

[boyinr]

I personally do not see it but, I am not an expert at balks.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=14540715&topic_id=11493214&c_id=mlb

[Mr Umpire]

He didn't even bother to step to 3B. His lead foot was not even close to a 45 degree line. It just merely went from one side of the rubber to the other but not anywhere near towards 3B. The overhead shot shows his lead foot being more toward HP and not 3B. He should have pitched the ball and he would have been OK. Thus, throwing to 3B got a balk. His lead foot even goes more toward HP than its starting point.

[Thunderheads]

Also .....

let me know if this is relavent, but, ....Wakefield never feints a 'throw' to third either ....his arm is behind him until he throws to first...

may not have a bearing, but, ...I'm no balk expert

[Mr Umpire]

Also .....

let me know if this is relavent, but, ....Wakefield never feints a 'throw' to third either ....his arm is behind him until he throws to first...

may not have a bearing, but, ...I'm no balk expert

It doesn't. Arm action makes no difference when allowed to feint. It only matters at 1B simply b/c the throw has to be completed.

[Thunderheads]

Also .....

let me know if this is relavent, but, ....Wakefield never feints a 'throw' to third either ....his arm is behind him until he throws to first...

may not have a bearing, but, ...I'm no balk expert

It doesn't. Arm action makes no difference when allowed to feint. It only matters at 1B simply b/c the throw has to be completed.

thank you sir!!!:beerbang

[bpate]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R9IN-LFRcY&NR=1

How bout this one? Can you lift your leg, put it almost back down, then thurn to second.

[Mr Umpire]

If his leg is coming down on the HP side of the rubber and not turning toward 2B as it comes down, that is a move toward the plate and associated with his pitch. He should be turning as the leg comes up or at the moment it hits the balance point. Which, if slowed down and watched frame by frame, it appears he is turning as his leg comes down but it isn't as noticeable until it is almost on the ground.

If he wasn't making that turn as his leg came down, it would be a balk. Basically, it borderlines a balk and some may call it since his moves toward 2B are very subtle as the leg comes down. Also, it is harder to tell b/c he tucks his foot under him instead of out away from his body. If it were away from his body, I think you would see the turn better. That readjustment may earn a balk call as well if he pauses to do it at all.