1) R3, RHP comes set. He throws to pick off R3 at third, but steps with his pivot (right) foot instead of his free foot. Balk?

2) Are you required to step when you feint to a base?


OBR please.

largeone59,

1. Balk!

2. Yes. Failure to step during the feint is a balk for an "in contact" pitcher.

JM

Wait, RHP stepped to third with his RIGHT foot? Ew! That's ugly just thinking about it.

Just to clarify, can you site the rule? I'm asking innocently as I'm not very familiar with ORB.

8.05c says that you have to step if you throw.

moorg,

You're at the right rule. While the sentence construction is somewhat tortured, even by OBR standards, I believe that the following actually says that the step is required on a feint:

"<b>A pitcher is to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base but does not require him to throw (except to first base only) because he steps.</b>"

Luckily, J/R is crystal clear on this subject:

"<b>[It is a balk if a pitcher (who is "in contact")]...

9. does not step to a base in throwing (<i>or feinting a throw</i>) to such base. [8.01(c)] [8.05(c)] [NFHS 6-1-2]</b>"

JM