FED - stepping directly toward the base

[Dave Hensley]

Originally posted by blueump
But in the situation listed, the pitcher is throwing to neither an occupied base, or an unoccupied base, but between them. The question is the legality of throwing someplace other than a base if the rules state (FED only) that the pitcher must step "directly toward a base (occupied or unoccupied).

The interpretation is that if his step is more towards the target base than any other base, then he has fulfilled the requirement of stepping to the base. If he throws to a point 8 feet away from 3B, then it is still closer to 3B than it is to 2B or the plate, so it's legal.