[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by ccbestul

Just happened last night. U18 game, FED rules. R1 at third with two out. This kid stole home earlier. Pitcher toes the rubber in stretch. He has not looked in for any signs yet. The runner takes off for home. The pitcher steps toward home and easily throws out the runner. Team wanted Balk called because he did not step off rubber. I contedned it was a pick-off play at home and pitcher properly stepped toward bag. My contention was that the pitcher never began his move to come set, therefore; perfectly legal pick-off. Coach bought that but contended he threw to an unoccupied bag. That was an easy won to debunk. I believe I called this correct. The only Ref. I could find was Casebook 6.1.1 (comment) which says when pitcher assumes a set position. I read that before and thats what I interpreted. The pitcher had made no movement to the set position. Anybody have a similar situation?

As TEE said where was B1? If B1 was in the box ready to hit, then this is a quick pitch and a balk should be called. If F1 did not disengage the pithcer's plate properly, then he is defined as F1 and must comply with the pitching regulations.

There is no pickoff at home as with the other bases because you don't have to worry about the batter on bases 1 thru 3. If the batter is ready to hit, then F1 MUST come set first and then deliver the ball.

This is no different than say R1. F1 wants to keep him close so right from the stretch without coming set he pitches to the batter. This would be a balk because F1 when throwing to the plate MUST come to a complete and discernable stop (FED rule 6-1-3)

In your play I have a balk

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