Is this a balk?

Question
Here's the situation:  High School Baseball - Runners on 1st and 3rd.  Batter's in batter's box, catcher is set, umpire is set and gives the signal to the pitcher to pitch.  Pitcher sets and starts pitching motion.  The batter then sets one foot outside the batter's box and looks toward his 3rd base coach.  The pitcher delivers the pitch.  As soon as it is caught by the catcher, the umpire rules "Balk" and advances the runners to 2nd and Home for a run. Is this correct?  If not, what should the call have been?
At no time after the umpire gave the signal to the pitcher and before the pitch was delivered did the umpire call "Time".
Thanks in advance for your advice.

Karin Block


Answer
Karin,

If the umpire did not grant the batter time, then the play is still live.  The umpire should have called either ball or strike (depending on the pitch) and the play should have continued.

If the pitcher stopped during the play or did something else to commit a balk then it would be a balk.

Remember - it isn't enough for the batter to ask for time, the umpire must grant it.  Typically umpires should not grant time if the batter requests it in the middle of a pitch.

Hope this helps!

Brian