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I watched a game today where the pither, with a runner on first, would toe the pitcher's plate and stand with his hands down by his sides. He would then turn his shoulders towards first base - sometimes very quickly, sometimes very slowly. When he did it quickly the runner would go back to first. He would then come to set - pause - and deliver quickly. When he did it slowly it looked like he was just looking over at the runner. I thought this was a balk since he was on the pitcher's plate and he made a motion (his shoulders turning abrubtly) towards first. I was told by another fan that a pitcher can make any motion with his body that he wants as long as he has not come to the "set" position. Need some clarification. Thanks...
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It depends on the rule set you are playing with. If it's high school then the pitcher is fine. Up until a few years ago you couldn't turn at all on the rubber in HS. When they changed the rule to allow the turn they said speed doesn't matter.
In NCAA and PRO rules the quick turn is and should be a balk. It is considered a feint to first, so with no throw it is a balk.
Mike - I agree with your HS interp. NCAA is a little different from OBR. NCAA says "any feinting motion" toward 1st without a throw is a balk. OBR says it's a balk if F1 "feints a throw." I would have a tough time selling the feint of a throw if F1 only moved his shoulders and not his arms. One thing is for sure - the balk rules are far from an exact science!

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