First of all, thank you all for your insights. It’s good to get some “professional” opinions of what transpired… Believe me; the balk call had little to do with my son’s poor performance on Monday. It was just a bad day at the office for him - his team provided him with a 4-0 lead in the first, they scored another 5 runs in the second, but he didn’t make it through the 3rd inning and was pulled after allowing 4 runs in the third. The final play prior to his being pulled was a full-count bases-loaded safety squeeze with one out. He bounced one up there and it got by his catcher and rolled to the backstop allowing two runs to score.
I had another conversation with him last night a few days after the incident and he’d had a chance to think things over a bit. He told me that the base umpire told him that he called the balk was because in his opinion there was a hesitation in his delivery. Whatever... It’s the first time he’s been called for a balk this season (3 picks so far).
One final question for everyone - during another game (last summer, 18U) on a suicide squeeze R3 was nearly at home plate when the pitch was released. Being a lefty with his back to third base and a good-sized kick he’s sometimes slow coming home from the wind up. What is the ruling if R3 arrives at home with the pitch (right-handed batter)? In this case the batter fouled the 2-1 pitch off, but darn, that R3 was nearly in the batters box with the hitter!
Thanks again. Given his short outing on Monday maybe he'll get a chance to pitch a bit tonight (double header).
Bill T.