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Had a coach ask me this before a game a two weeks ago, he stated that this had happened to his team at a tournament the week before. I wasn't sure of the answer, still not 100% now.
1 out, R1 and R3, RHP. Batters up, R1 takes a big lead. Pitcher is throwing from the stretch, comes set, and then is told R1 is going to second.(I'm guessing SS or FB hollered he's going? not sure)He turns his head, and fakes a throw to second, doesn't release the ball, doesn't move his feet, or his front arm, just extends his right arm straight back. Kinda like you would backhand it to someone. R1 hits the brakes, returns to first. Coach wanted it to be a balk, ump said it was not, he was throwing to pick off the runner. But the guy never actually threw the ball.
The coaches questions to me:
1. Was it a balk?
2. Can a pitcher throw to an unoccupied base?
Based off what he told me, and I tried to get all the info. to get it straight, I'd say it was a balk. Realy odd situation though, one to think about.
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