Was working a high school JV game last week.
Left handed pitcher with runners on base, obviously uncertain about how to deliver the ball legally.
Pitcher would hold the ball in his glove while stepping onto the rubber, then bring his hands together, pause, and deliver the pitch.
After about a dozen pitches delivered in this manner, my partner called a balk from behind the plate. Coach came out to ask for an explanation, received it, seemed satisfied, and returned immediately to the dugout. The conference between my partner and the coach was so brief that it was over before I could draw near enough to listen in and at such a low volume that I did not hear the explanation.
After the game, I asked my partner about his balk call. He said the pitcher, while looking in for the sign before he took his stretch, was holding his throwing hand in front of his body, not at the side or behind his back. Said he had just gone to a training session where this point had been discussed.
I have seen pitchers called for this infraction before, but only when they were holding the ball in their throwing hand. Technically, I suppose this call is correct. The rule does say the pitcher may hold the ball in either hand, and it does specify that the throwing hand shall be down at his side or behind his back. But it never occurred to me to worry about what the pitcher does with a hand that isn't holding the ball.
Could some of the more experienced umpires comment on this situation? Is this call correct? Appropriate? Normal?