UmpSteve wrote:Impossible, IMO, to name every thing that is or isn't. I teach this as the "reasonable man" theory.
Short version, if any action by the pitcher would/should/could make a reasonable person react, then the runner has the right to react. If the umpire believes any action by the pitcher is solely intended to make the runner react, then the runner has the right to react to that action.
I teach it in a similar manner, but in my version, the "reasonable man" is always the umpire since it is his/her judgment by which the rule is applied. I tell the umpire that if they see the pitcher act in a manner which makes them feel that s/he needs to be prepared to make a call, then it is enough for the runner to react in the same manner.
And, yes, the umpire should always be prepared to make a call if necessary, but the umpire will know to what I am referring when s/he feels it.