Balk 8.05d, FED vs OBR

[cshs81]

Do FED and OBR share the same wording for the balk rule 8.05d that deals with throwing to an unoccupied base with the exception of making a play?

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by cshs81

Do FED and OBR share the same wording for the balk rule 8.05d that deals with throwing to an unoccupied base with the exception of making a play?

Pretty much but the rule itself is a run-on-sentence that if you were in my 6th grade English class, you would not have been a friend of the teacher!

FED 6-2-4
ART. 4 ... Balk. If there is a runner or runners, any of the following acts by a
pitcher while he is touching the pitcher's plate is a balk:

b. failing to step with the non-pivot foot directly toward a base (occupied or
unoccupied) when throwing or feinting there in an attempt to put out, or
drive back a runner; or throwing or feinting to any unoccupied base when
it is not an attempt to put out or drive back a runner

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by cshs81

Do FED and OBR share the same wording for the balk rule 8.05d that deals with throwing to an unoccupied base with the exception of making a play?

Yes. Throwing to an unoccupied base except to make a play is a balk in all major codes. The purpose, as with all the balk rules, is to make defending against a steal somewhat more difficult.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by cshs81

Do FED and OBR share the same wording for the balk rule 8.05d that deals with throwing to an unoccupied base with the exception of making a play?

No. OBR prohibits throwing to an uncoocupied base except to make a play.

FED prohibits throwing to an unoccupied base except to make a play OR drive back a runner.

Example: R1 only. Runner has large lead. F1 throws to second, R1 retreats to first. In OBR, balk. In FED, legal.

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

No. OBR prohibits throwing to an uncoocupied base except to make a play.

FED prohibits throwing to an unoccupied base except to make a play OR drive back a runner.

Example: R1 only. Runner has large lead. F1 throws to second, R1 retreats to first. In OBR, balk. In FED, legal.

I may be wrong but I think accepted practice and interp of Fed is that R1 must be attempting to steal or feinting a steal.
If R1 only has a lead and throw goes to 2nd it's a balk.

Is a large lead a determining factor in your interp?
What is a large lead?
What if R1 does not retreat when F1 throws to 2nd, does it then become a balk?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by CO ump

I may be wrong but I think accepted practice and interp of Fed is that R1 must be attempting to steal or feinting a steal.
If R1 only has a lead and throw goes to 2nd it's a balk.

Is a large lead a determining factor in your interp?
What is a large lead?
What if R1 does not retreat when F1 throws to 2nd, does it then become a balk?

I agree -- and a "large lead" is umpire judgment (just as it is in the "a play initiated by the offense does not cancel the right to appeal" rule)