Balk, yes??

[Thunderheads]

Ok, ... second game of the day Saturday in this tournament, 13u travel (OBR)

Defensive team is getting CRUSHED ...leading to a 4 inning mercy, by the way.

Ok, ... pitcher goes to come to a set and loses his balance, and ...in the process , attempts to step off (which he kind of does) with his back foot in a hop style. Now, obviously the kid didn't do this on purpose, and there's no intention of deception going on (I know, I know,...the "d" word, but just work with me here ...) ...

We don't balk him under the circumstances, and afterwards the assistant coach of the offense politely brings it up to us between innings ....

According to this, it is indeed a balk, yes?

8.01

Preparatory to coming to a set position, the pitcher shall have one hand on his side;

from this position he shall go to his set position as defined in Rule 8.01(B) without

interruption and in one continuous motion.

[sdix00]

If you are wondering if you should balk him for failure to come to a set "without interruption and in one continuous motion", F1 is allowed to step off during the same motion.

If you judged that he stepped off legally while coming set, then there should be nothing here.