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Balked?

NK NW Knights07100+ posts
I was "throwing" a game today (simulated game in bullpen) and the coach was calling the game like an umpire. With runners on I vary my timing, and the coached balked me for "not having the same cadence in order to deceive the runner." I'm pretty sure this is a myth, but wanted to confirm here.

Also, how much leeway do you give on a "quickset?" Where the pitcher comes to a quick, but decernable stop before proceeding to the plate.
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M Matt1310,000+ posts
Originally Posted by NW Knights07:
I was "throwing" a game today (simulated game in bullpen) and the coach was calling the game like an umpire. With runners on I vary my timing, and the coached balked me for "not having the same cadence in order to deceive the runner." I'm pretty sure this is a myth, but wanted to confirm here.

Also, how much leeway do you give on a "quickset?" Where the pitcher comes to a quick, but decernable stop before proceeding to the plate.

A. You can do whatever you want within the rules. Only illegal deception is a balk. There is such a thing as legal deception. There is nothing saying you have to have the same timing on all pitches.

 

B. If I can see a stop, you're good. If I can't, you're not. It's that simple (and the rule.)

M Matt1310,000+ posts
Originally Posted by NW Knights07:
Was asking  because I get balked often enough in real games for a very short pause the first time I use that timing

Keep in mind, your whole body has to stop. I've balked a lot of pitchers who do a short pause with the upper body, but start the lower body to the plate before the pause.

Jimmy03Jimmy031,000+ posts

Along the lines of Matt's reply:  Often, pitchers concentrate only on coming to a complete stop with their hands.  Their entire body must come to a stop.  If the leg begins moving prior to the hands coming to a stop, it's a balk.

 

And as others have stated, it is not a balk to vary your delivery's timing or "cadence".  Your coach is seriously misinformed.

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