Expert: Dennis Girardi - 7/6/2008

Question
itcher is right handed.  Runner on first.  After pitcher receives sign from catcher (while pitcher is leaning towards the plate with glove hand on knee), pitcher begins to come towards the set position.  Before reaching the set position however, the pitcher makes a sudden jerky motion with his head and shoulders to look back at 1st base (lower half of body does not move/jerk).  Then, pitcher comes set and stable and no longer moves shoulders.  This motion is repeated every pitch with a runner on 1st.  IS THIS A BALK?  

My presumption is that until he is set the jerky shoulders really don't matter.  Am I wrong?

Thanks for your response in advance,
Andy

Answer
Hey Andy,

You are NOT wrong if the pitcher does the same thing each time he throws a pitch.  If he does it only some of the time, an umpire may call him on a balk.  If he is determined to be trying to trick the runner, it can be called a balk.. Sorry.

Dennis