[jhelbling]

Coach here - looking for an interpretation of rules.

I coach 11 year old team. Most runners with decent speed are stealing once they reach 1B.

If my pitcher is in set position - raises his leg straight up (no movement home or back toward rubber) - can he then twirl and throw to 2nd if the R on 1B attempts to steal?

I site the following 2 rules for this question.

(c) At any time during the pitcher’s preliminary movements and until his natural pitching motion commits him to the pitch, he may throw to any base provided he steps directly toward such base before making the throw.
Rule 8.01(c) Comment: The pitcher shall step “ahead of the throw.” A snap throw followed by the step directly toward the base is a balk.

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

If there is a R on 1B trying to steal - can the Pitcher throw to 2B for the purpose of making a play? Also, what happens if the R on 1B bluffs his steal attempt and proceeds back to 1B? What happens if he does not steal at all?