Whoah, Bob! "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."
And for Tim . . . yes, the batter DOES have to make a determination whether F1's actions are a pitch or a pick-off play. THE SAME WAY THAT THE PU HAS TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION! (Forgive the capital letters; I'm insistent on allowing the defense to make a legitimate play on an attempted steal.) As long as F1 has not committed himself to pitch (and we all know what that means), he's done nothing wrong. I'll even contend that B1 could be called for interference if he hits the ball!
Back to Bob . . . nothing in any rule book or case book prevents a pitcher from making a pick-off attempt at Home Base. Nor does any rule book or case book exclude Home from the definition of a base.
Have we opened a can of worms here?
Jerry
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