Balk with continuing action

[Jim Porter]

Originally posted by Bfair
I must respectfully disagree, Jim. With R1 en route to 2nd base (play still occurring) the ball should not be killed for the exact reason shown in the situation. The defense errored beyond the balk (favoring the offended offense). Offense may achieve more than the award of the balk (at their own risk).

Steve

Steve,

It is not the runner en route which decides whether play continues or not. It is the question of whether or not the pitcher threw wild to a base on his pick-off attempt.

When the pitcher faked to first, he did not complete the throw. Since he did not complete the throw, he was no longer attempting to pick-off a runner. Now he is a fielder, just like all the rest. At that moment, the umpire should call, "Time," and enforce the balk penalty.

It does not matter if runners are en route or not.

The fact that the pitcher subsequently threw the ball into center field is meaningless. He was no longer a pitcher, and he was no longer attempting a pick-off.