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San Francisco Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto has been known to add a little flair to his delivery from time to time. That flair usually comes in the form of a shoulder shimmy, which he'll execute mid-wind up to ensure that fans get a good view of his moves. It also perhaps serves to throw off the timing of opposing hitters, but that's just a bonus for Cueto, who no doubt loves the attention and the reaction his shimmy typically draws. [ The Walk Off: Pair of aces become MLB's first 10-game winners ] Unfortunately for him though, his shimmy drew a little too much attention during the first inning of the Giants eventual 3-2 loss to the Dodgers on Friday night . In fact, that very move resulted in first-base umpire Bill Welke calling a balk, which allowed Chase Ultey to jog home with a run that would prove vital later in the game.    They just called a balk on Cueto for his shimmy/hold. Something he's always done, and which hitters have complained violate rules. #SFGiants — Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) June 11, 2016 Assuming ump used 507(a)(2): After assuming Set Position, any natural motion associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter . . . — Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) June 11, 2016 ...commits him to the pitch without alteration or interruption. — Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) June 11, 2016 Some will argue that the spirit of the balk rule is to prevent pitchers from deceiving baserunners, and that Cueto really isn't deceiving them if that's part of his routine.  That's the story the Giants were sticking to following the game, as they sought clarity on the ruling.  Bochy wants clarification on Cueto balk, said he's not sure why it was called there. "He's been throwing like that for quite a while." — Alex Pavlovic (@AlexPavlovic) June 11, 2016 The difference might be that Cueto rarely goes to the wind up with the runners on base, which changes the dynamics of his movements. Wiggle with it. pic.twitter.com/tPFLag7ym5 — MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) September 25, 2015 That's perfectly fine with no runners on bases. In this instance, though, Welke obviously felt his movements crossed the line in baseball's rulebook. Honestly, the line between what's a balk and what isn't is such a fine line that it's difficult to not be confused. Sometimes the umpires even struggle with calling balks consistently, because some umpires interpret the rules a little differently, and a call like this will only add fuel to that seemingly never-ending debate.  @hankschulman if the umps are going to start calling that balk, shouldn't they at least warn Cueto/Bochy before game? Precedent already set. — Jason Burns (@sonburn) June 11, 2016 I have no idea what rules say about Cueto's motion. I'm saying if you're gonna have a balk rule, surely what Cueto does should be covered. — Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 11, 2016 In defense of MLB, it's difficult to prepare for a wind up that's as herky-jerky as Cueto's when he breaks out the shimmy shake, but we might as well add it to their to-do list for next winter.  More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports: - - - - - - - Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813 Continue to Article

June 11, 2016 2:12:am EST

San Francisco Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto has been known to add a little flair to his delivery from time to time. That flair usually comes in the form of a shoulder shimmy, which he'll execute mid-wind up to ensure that fans get a good view of his moves. It also perhaps serves to throw off the timing of opposing hitters, but that's just a bonus for Cueto, who no doubt loves the attention and the reaction his shimmy typically draws. [ The Walk Off: Pair of aces become MLB's first 10-game winners ] Unfortunately for him though, his shimmy drew a little too much attention during the first inning of the Giants eventual 3-2 loss to the Dodgers on Friday night . In fact, that very move resulted in first-base umpire Bill Welke calling a balk, which allowed Chase Ultey to jog home with a run that would prove vital later in the game.    They just called a balk on Cueto for his shimmy/hold. Something he's always done, and which hitters have complained violate rules. #SFGiants — Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) June 11, 2016 Assuming ump used 507(a)(2): After assuming Set Position, any natural motion associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter . . . — Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) June 11, 2016 ...commits him to the pitch without alteration or interruption. — Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) June 11, 2016 Some will argue that the spirit of the balk rule is to prevent pitchers from deceiving baserunners, and that Cueto really isn't deceiving them if that's part of his routine.  That's the story the Giants were sticking to following the game, as they sought clarity on the ruling.  Bochy wants clarification on Cueto balk, said he's not sure why it was called there. "He's been throwing like that for quite a while." — Alex Pavlovic (@AlexPavlovic) June 11, 2016 The difference might be that Cueto rarely goes to the wind up with the runners on base, which changes the dynamics of his movements. Wiggle with it. pic.twitter.com/tPFLag7ym5 — MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) September 25, 2015 That's perfectly fine with no runners on bases. In this instance, though, Welke obviously felt his movements crossed the line in baseball's rulebook. Honestly, the line between what's a balk and what isn't is such a fine line that it's difficult to not be confused. Sometimes the umpires even struggle with calling balks consistently, because some umpires interpret the rules a little differently, and a call like this will only add fuel to that seemingly never-ending debate.  @hankschulman if the umps are going to start calling that balk, shouldn't they at least warn Cueto/Bochy before game? Precedent already set. — Jason Burns (@sonburn) June 11, 2016 I have no idea what rules say about Cueto's motion. I'm saying if you're gonna have a balk rule, surely what Cueto does should be covered. — Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 11, 2016 In defense of MLB, it's difficult to prepare for a wind up that's as herky-jerky as Cueto's when he breaks out the shimmy shake, but we might as well add it to their to-do list for next winter.  More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports: - - - - - - - Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813 Continue to Article

June 11, 2016 2:12:am EST