Feint from windup

[Dave Hensley]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I posted in another thread somewhere that the pitcher can only do 3 things from the windup position.

I have searched all of my alphabet soup resource manuals, etc., and cannot find a decent interpretation. I have reviewed all relevant threads on this forum through an exhaustive search, including the huge 9 page thread on throwing to a base from the windup, from last March. I can't find what I'm looking for.

So, with that in mind, I pose this question:

Is it legal to feint to 2nd and 3rd base from the windup position?

Rule 8.01 (a) Comments (2) says he may step and throw to a base, but it does not mention feinting. Is it a balk if he feints to a base from the windup?

It's very poorly covered in the OBR, but is expanded on more definitively in the authoritative literature. The only OBR reference I can cite is this from 8.05(c): "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."

This is expanded on in the MLB 2002 Umpire Manual, and the concept is repeated in other manuals.

MLB 2002 Umpire Manual:
When a pitcher swings any part of his free foot past the back edge of the pitcher's rubber, it is a balk if he does not pitch to the batter, unless he throws (or feints a throw) to second base on a pick-off play.

NOTE: The pitcher is required to step directly toward a
base when feinting a throw to a base.

A pitcher must step directly toward a base before throwing or feinting to that base, but he is not required to throw (except to first base only) because he steps.

Jaksa-Roder:
The possibilities of an in-contact pitcher's actions are:
a) to pitch,
b) to step and throw (or feint a throw) to a base,

Jim Evans:
Customs and Usage: A pitcher may not feint a throw to 1st base, but he can feint a throw to other bases if he steps legally.

Hope this helps.