Another Balk Question

[TwoBits]

Assuming all other parts off the pickoff attempt were legal...

#1: Not a balk. He was making a play on a runner. FED rule 6-2-4b.

#2: Not a balk as long as he stepped toward third base when doing so. Also 6-2-4b.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

Assuming all other parts off the pickoff attempt were legal...

I agree with TwoBits's rulings, but this piece is crucial: what you'll often see with a RHP on this play is that he'll flip the ball to 3B without stepping first. That's a balk for not stepping directly to the base ahead of the throw.

This point might explain your different rulings on what might seem to be the same play.

[FTVMartin]

I had this in a varsity game the other night and coach was insistant that this was a balk. I explained it to him and walked away. I saw them looking in the book during the next inning. I guess they must have found it because I never heard another word about it.