Catchers Balk

Question
The following happened at a Juniors American Legion Baseball Game.

Situation:

Bottom of the 7th with two outs.  Runners on 1st and 3rd.  The score 5 - 4 visitors leading.  

Catcher lines up behind home plate as pitcher goes into a stretch.  As the pitcher starts his throwing motion, the catcher moves outside to catch a pitchout in an attempt to throw out an attempted steal by the runner on first and end the game.  The runner does not go so there was not advantage.

The home plate umpire calls a catcher's balk saying the catcher was out of the catcher area before the pitcher released the ball.  Umpire awards each base runner a based which ties the score.  

Visiting coach tries to argue that one, there is no catchers box.  They were not drawn in before the game started. And second, there is no way the umpire could determine where the catcher exact location of his feet if he was watching the pitcher and ball location as well.

Umpired stayed with his ruling.  The umpires decision tied up the game and home team won in extra innings.

It is my understanding that the out of the catchers box only pertains when there is an intentional walk.  Second, it appears that there really is no such thing as a Catchers Balk.  At most, an illegal pitch could be called and the punishment a ball.

Would love to hear your opinion.  

Did I say this was a game with two bitter rivals so tensions were high.

Answer
WOW....A huge congrats to that umpire!!!!!!  He did it exactly correct.  I made the same call in a NAIA championship game in Salinas, Ohio several years ago & you would have thought the world was coming to an end.

The rule book (all levels)clearly states that ALL players other the catcher must be in fair territory at the time of the pitch (releasing).  The catcher must be in his box.  If he is not then the correct call is a balk & runners on base advance accordingly.  It's a little known rule & is covered more in MLB umpire's mechanics manuals in detail.

You may never see it called again, but it is a rule & again I congratulate that umpire whom has obviously had some detailed training.

Thanks again for your question....Andy