[cowbyfan1]

Originally posted by Rich Ives
What's the history and/or rationale for:

8.05 If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when_
d) The pitcher, while touching his plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play;

Followed by the AR

b) With a runner on first base the pitcher may make a complete turn, without hesitating toward first, and throw to second. This is not to be interpreted as throwing to an unoccupied base.


This is confusing, especially when coupled with the MLBUM 7.7 Example 2.

7.7 THROWING TO AN UNOCCUPIED BASE
Official Baseball Rule 8.05(d) provides that the pitcher be charged with a balk if, while in contact with the pitcher's plate, he throws to an unoccupied base except for the purpose of making a play.

EXAMPLES:

(1) Runners on first and second, pitcher in set position. Runner breaks for third base and pitcher throws to third base. Ruling: Legal play.

(2) Runners on first and second, pitcher in set position. Runner bluffs going to third base and pitcher throws to third base. However, runner did not go. Ruling: Balk, pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 8.05(d).

And the fact that the MLBUM doesn't mention the AR



[Edited by Rich Ives on Jun 29th, 2005 at 11:51 PM]

This difference is that on the play where he bluffed going to 3rd there is no play there since the runner inactuality was not going there. To me it depends on the bluff if I am going to call it or not. It the runner "bluffs" only a couple steps then I would be more apt to call the balk as to where I would not if the runner went half way and then went back to second. It would boil down to what was a bluff and what was an actual attempt by the runner to advance only to have the defense stop him.