Quote:
From the initial post by AZBlue
Pitcher stepped forward off the rubber after feinting the throw to 2nd.
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Once a legal feint to 2B has been made, the pitcher may disengage forward or backward from the rubber. So, the question here is was the initial feint legal.
Quote:
From the last post by AZBlue
I was under the impression that F1 had to step towards the base he was attempting to pick off the runner (2B in this case), and then continue...
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Assuming the pitcher did not first commit to pitch, when throwing
from the rubber the basis of the move is dependent on where his step with his free foot goes. Assuming the RHF1 picked up his left foot and started it backward as if to pitch, he can:
- step toward unoccupied 3B if it's an attempt to make a play on an advancing runner, or
- continue his free foot behind the rubber, in which case he may:
(A) continue that free foot toward 2B for a feint or throw, or
(B) change direction of that free foot and deliver a pitch
Quote:
From the last post by AZBlue
What he DID was start the move to 2B, change in mid-motion to go towards 3B, then ran off, almost towards the Home Plate side of 3B and ran the runner down as he was going to 3B.
He completed his move by throwing to F5 (while in between the mound and 3B) and trying to pick the runner off.
I felt that since the initial move was towards 2B, F1 had to step towards 2B before changing direction.
Is this wrong?
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If you judged that F1's free foot swung completely behind the back edge of the rubber, then he cannot legally step to 3B. After re-reading your posts, it sounds as if you may have judged that to have occurred.
So....if F1's free foot went entirely past the back edge of the rubber, then he likely balked if he did not step to 2B when landing that foot or if he stopped his foot's motion toward 2B and planted it after starting in a different direction other than 2B.
However, if his free foot did not entirely swing behind the rubber, F1 is entitled to step toward unoccupied 3B since the runner was advancing. He need not throw (and he is not required to make any arm motion as if to throw). The legal step is in itself a feint. After the initial step of the feint, F1 may follow off the front of the rubber toward the base or runner.
Just my opinion,
Freix