Never heard this before

I got nothing for the balk call; didn't see it. I just wanted to compliment you on the great photo next to your ID.

Yes! Very accomplished young man (from your profile) and almost as handsome as mine.

Wow, I'd say this thread detoured just a bit.

infidel and 2Bmom, thank you very much for the compliments. I'm sure just like both of you and every other parent on this site, we are very proud parents and are excited about our sons future whatever it may hold.

Again thanks and good luck your sons!

It's a balk because you can't throw to the bag if no one is there - making Lilly's/Lee's move illegal.

I think Lee could play off and then "back pick", i.e., come to the bag for the throw. But if he plays off and takes the throw while away from the bag, that's a balk, though the balk is still on the pitcher and not on Lee. The pitcher's balk is for throwing in a manner not in accordance with the rules, i.e., not to the base. He can only do this if he steps off first. (But then, if you step off first, you can do just about anything.)

There are such things as catcher's balks, but there's no such thing as a first baseman's balk.

I believe there is such a thing as first basemans balk. It is when the firstmans feet are not in fair territory, in the foul line side. All fielders (other then the catcher) must start play in fair territory.
If they do not start the play in fair territory, then the penalty is a balk.
If the first baseman is in fair territory, then moves into foul territory to catch the ball, then there is no penalty.

From the MLB website. Not sure this called a first basemans balk but here is a question and answer.

Hi. I've noticed in the past couple of weeks a few balks being called on the first baseman. It appears that the pitcher is attempting pick-off throws to first, and the first baseman is around, but not on the bag holding the runner on. Has this become a "point-of-emphasis" at the Major League level this year? I've noticed it in Dodgers and Angels games (in fact, the June 12 Angels game against Pittsburgh) recently, and wondered about it.
Thanks,
-- Dave Garell

Montague: The first baseman has to be in the vicinity, in an area where he can make a play when the pitcher throws over. If he's not in that vicinity where he can make a tag, then it's a balk. A lot of times you'll see the first baseman laying back on the bag, if they throw over there and he can't make a play on (the runner), that's a balk. If he's way in front of the bag where he can't make a play on (the runner), that's a balk. He has to be able to try to make a tag.

I think the balk is not on the 1B, but on the pitcher for making the throw when the 1B is not eligible to receive it.

I do also recall something about having to start in fair territory, but I would have to scour the rule book to see what the consequences are. Maybe someone else knows off the top of their head?

First base standing in foul territory is a "don't do that" rule.
There is no penalty.

The first baseman or other fielders standing in foul territory is a complicated subject, and the rules differ among the various codes, and umpires differ in how to actually handle it. Childress' Baseball Rule Differences devotes more than three pages to this issue.

For FED, if a fielder's feet are both in foul territory when a pitch is delivered, it is by rule an illegal pitch: a ball with no runners or a balk with runners. Most umpires will however purposely not notice this unless it is brought to their attention. The rule: 1-1-4
"ART. 4 At the time of the pitch, all fielders shall be on fair ground except the catcher who shall be in the catcher's box. A fielder is in fair ground when at least one foot is touching fair ground.
PENALTY: Illegal pitch. (2-18-1)"

For NCAA, the rule is somewhat similar: 5-4c
" SECTION 4. At the start of or during a game, all players of the defensive team except the catcher must be in fair territory when the ball is put in play.
Being in fair territory means that a defensive player must have at least one foot placed in fair territory.
.......
c. Other than the pitcher and catcher, all other fielders may position themselves anywhere in fair territory.
PENALTY for c.—The play, if it benefits the defense, shall be nullified. If it is an appeal play, the appeal is lost."

I believe, but I may be wrong, that the phrase "when the ball is put in play" refers to when a batter puts the ball into play rather than when the umpire calls "play". Regardless, it is clear that unless the ball is put into play, there is no penalty.

For OBR, "4.03 When the ball is put in play at the start of, or during a game, all fielders other than
the catcher shall be on fair territory.
......
(c) Except the pitcher and the catcher, any fielder may station himself anywhere in fair territory."
Furthermore, the PBUC manual says a fielder needs both feet in fair ground.
For OBR no penalty is listed, so this is a "don't do that." In fact the PBUC manual says that the umpire is to ignore it unless somebody complains. In pro ball, nobody is going to complain.

For the most part, NCAA and OBR rules are intended to make sure that a team puts 9 players on defense, and that there aren't any defensive shenanigans like F7 hiding in the dugout, and then rushing out to take a pick off throw at third.
The FED rule seems to be aimed at making sure F3 doesn't have both feet in foul ground. Childress points out that the FED rule omits the requirement that a team field 9 defensive players. That was presumably a mistake.

So in FED, it is an illegal pitch, but most umpires ignore the infraction.
NCAA nullifies the play but only if the defense benefits.
OBR has no penalty, other than ejection for repeated infractions.