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Marty,
In all seriousness:
F1 can step towards F6 or F4 and throw.
He is not required to step towards second.
It is not like first or third base as he can throw to a fielder that is not near the base and not balk.
IIITBTSB
Now for your challenge:
According to JEA:
My summary:
Up to and including 1899 pitcher's could not feint to any base.
The rule change in 1900 allowed feints to all bases but first base (remember Home Plate is just that a plate and not a base under this rule).
The 1950 rule update then stated that a pitcher must step directly towards the base.
Now we move to 8.05 (c) and we learn that through "custom and usage" this "direct step" changes to "45* of a direct straight line to the base.
My summary of the rule continues:
Now that we all know that F1 does not have to throw the ball during any pickoff attempt at second base and we also know that many of the pickoff plays at second are "timing" plays between the pitcher and infielder we also know that a pickoff can be attempted to a fielder "not near the base" (not like a play at first base where F3 position CAN determine if the play is a balk or not) we see the the pitcher OFTEn will not be stepping anywhere near a "direct line" to the base.
Sorry Marty my review of this rule (and the authoritive sources listed) don't support your ruling.
You asked me to do the review and I did.
BTW, this same discussion has come up each of the last four years on one internet umpire webpage or another.
Tee
[Edited by Tim C on Mar 2nd, 2003 at 10:35 PM]
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