Balk?

[BSBAL18]

2 outs. R1 at second, R2 at first. Right handed pitcher.

Pitcher comes set and R2 takes off for third. Pitcher raises left leg and steps towards third as a normal pickoff move. During this, R2 stops midway and pitcher fakes the throw to third but DOES NOT disengage the rubber with his right foot. So he looks a little silly with a step towards third with the back foot still on rubber.

Coach flipped and was dancing around yelling balk. I did not call a balk because the runner left before the pitcher started to home and he legally made a move to third base AS A FIELDER. I read a post on this forum stating this scenario does not warrant "throw to unoccupied base is illegal" because the pitcher has the right to make a play on the runner. ( the post was within the last 4 months but it may have been deleted or archived).

Was it a balk or not? R1 ended up getting tagged out, inning over.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by BSBAL18

2 outs. R1 at second, R2 at first. Right handed pitcher.

Pitcher comes set and R2 takes off for third. Pitcher raises left leg and steps towards third as a normal pickoff move. During this, R2 stops midway and pitcher fakes the throw to third but DOES NOT disengage the rubber with his right foot. So he looks a little silly with a step towards third with the back foot still on rubber.

Coach flipped and was dancing around yelling balk. I did not call a balk because the runner left before the pitcher started to home and he legally made a move to third base AS A FIELDER. I read a post on this forum stating this scenario does not warrant "throw to unoccupied base is illegal" because the pitcher has the right to make a play on the runner. ( the post was within the last 4 months but it may have been deleted or archived).

Was it a balk or not? R1 ended up getting tagged out, inning over.

OBR: He is NOT a fielder as you described because he did not disengage first. Balk. Cannot feint to 3B.

[BSBAL18]

"Cannot feint to 3B."

I have seen pitchers do an inside spin move to occupied second base for a pickoff and not throw and remain on the rubber because of the spinning motion, would this also constitute a balk?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BSBAL18

"Cannot feint to 3B."

I have seen pitchers do an inside spin move to occupied second base for a pickoff and not throw and remain on the rubber because of the spinning motion, would this also constitute a balk?

No. Under OBR you can feint to second from the rubber. You can't feint to third or first.

Under OBR, the OP is a balk -- possibly an "unintended consequence" of the rule change.

The OP is legal under FED.

[BSBAL18]

If you cant feint to 3B or 1B, then how does the ol fake to third throw to first work? You have to fake the throw to 3B initially?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BSBAL18

If you cant feint to 3B or 1B, then how does the ol fake to third throw to first work? You have to fake the throw to 3B initially?

That move is no longer allowed under OBR (for several years now).

[rbmartin]

Fed = Legal
OBR = Balk