Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 4/7/2008

Question
With runner on second or any base for that matter,the pitcher from the stretch starts his delivery but when in the balance position,he holds that balance a little longer. After the inning the ump said if he does that again, he would call a balk because he was trying to deceive the runner. I told the ump that many pitchers have different delivery styles and are not robots or machines that deliver each pitch in the exact same way each time. I said that as long as the pitcher follows basic pitching and balk rules, that his motion alone cannot cause a balk. I am a retired phys ed instructor and high school coach.I'd like your opinion on this please. Thanks and G-d bless you.The team is a 12 year old excellent travel team.

Answer
Stephen,

If by the 'balance position' you mean that the pitcher comes set, there is not a balk committed just because the pitcher takes three seconds to deliver the pitch one time and five seconds another time.  This is done in an effort to disrupt timing, not to deceive the runner.  I say no balk here (unless the pitcher just doesn't stop, in which case he has committed a balk because a stop is required.)

Hope this helps!

Brian