balk ruling

Question
With a runner at first our pitcher throws his first pitch to the next batter.  He gets the ball back from the catcher, goes back to the rubber and looks in for the signs with the ball dangling in his right hand. The ball slips out of his hand and the umpire calls a balk. I argue, that since he had never come "set", a balk ruling was inappropriote and if he wanted to get technical, the ruling shoud have been a "ball" since there was no movement to deceive the runner but the kid did have his foot on the rubber and the ball did come out of his hand. If it wasn't a strike it had to be a ball.  Was I off base?

Answer
Gray,

This is a balk.  Here is rule 8.05(k) from the major league rulebook:

"If there is a runner or runners, it is a balk when--The pitcher, while touching his plate, accidentally or intentionally drops the ball;"

Hope this helps!

Brian