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In situation (b), the pitcher legally disengaged the rubber, so no balk.
In situation (a), the pitcher is deemed to have stepped either toward 2B or 3B under the 45-degree rule of thumb. OBR and NFHS permits the pitcher to throw, and presumably step toward, and unoccupied base for the purpose of making a play on a runner. Relatedly, the PBUC Manual says it is not a balk for a pitcher to step toward 2B and, discovering the fielder has not covered the throw, throw to a fielder not at the base. To me, therefore, this is no balk.
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