Appeal/Balk Called (OBR)

[GarthB]

Originally posted by teacherspit
GB,
When the pitcher steps off the back of the rubber. He is not under the penalty of balking. Unless he throws the ball to a fielder. Then without the ball strides the rubber or toes the rubber. Then he has balked.

How about if he simulates a pitch while not being in contact with the rubber? Is that still a balk or was that removed from the rule book in the last couple of days?

Did you not understand what I was saying about a pitcher wheeling and throwing to an unoccupied base being a balk. Or throwing to an occupied base with intention of appealing without first stepping off the back of the rubber. It cannot be interpeted other than a pickoff play. Because is the only time a pitcher can throw to an occupied base while touching the rubber.
That is clear and simple.

I'm sorry if you didn't understand my post. I was simply saying that one should be careful about making a universal statement that a pitcher "becomes" a fielder when he is not on the rubber. There are many situations to prove this untrue.