Balk with continuing action

[Jim Porter]

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser
Let's talk some baseball.

Last night, our association watched the Jim Evans Balk video. Excellent - I highly recommend.

I came up with a good discussion play as a result of watching the video.

PLAY: R1, outs irrelevant. R1 breaks for second just as F1 starts a pickoff move to first. Surprised by R1, F1 quickly fakes to first while engaged, but almost immediately turns and throws the ball into center field trying to retire R1 at second base.

Result?

Rich

Ignore the balk because R1, the only runner, advanced to second safely as a result of the play. (The batter is not considered because he did not become a batter-runner.)

R1 may advance beyond second base at his own peril.

(I suppose this is where I find out that the ball was dead as soon as the pitcher completed the fake or feint - but I'll stick with my answer because you said he turned and threw, "almost immediately.")