Feinting to First

[JohnDorian37]

is there any situation in which a pitcher (without disengaging the plate) can feint to first and it not be a balk (with runners on)?

[UmpTTS43]

There are exactly zero instances where a pitcher can feign to first while in contact with the rubber.

[MD Longhorn]

He cannot feign. He can faint (assuming he keeps his feet on the rubber). Not sure what feinting is.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

He cannot feign. He can faint (assuming he keeps his feet on the rubber). Not sure what feinting is.

'Feint' is the correct spelling, Mike, and as you know by rule F1 may not do it toward occupied 1B without disengaging.

[jicecone]

In summary, ........................

NO

[DG]

Feign and Feint are both in my Websters and you guys know what he means so not sure why the ticky tack. I don't think I would call a balk for a faint, regardless.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by DG

... I don't think I would call a balk for a faint, regardless.

DG,

Concur.

I had "TIME" as soon as I saw him starting to faint - which was before anyone else noticed.

Concur on the "feign and feint" as well.

JM

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

He cannot feign. He can faint (assuming he keeps his feet on the rubber). Not sure what feinting is.

I think if a pitcher faints at all while on the rubber and runners on base, we're getting a balk. And a new pitcher.

[justanotherblue]

Only when the ball wasn't in play, and never when he faints.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

He can faint (assuming he keeps his feet on the rubber).

Now that would be a neat trick.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Now that would be a neat trick.

Dash, if it happened, would you balk him for starting and stopping? I guess if the ball fell out of his glove and didn't cross the foul line, that would work, too.

[Forest Ump]

I'm not letting him play the rest of the game if he does that. Doctors note or not.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by DG

Feign and Feint are both in my Websters and you guys know what he means so not sure why the ticky tack. I don't think I would call a balk for a faint, regardless.

Failed attempt at humor. My bad!

[celebur]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Failed attempt at humor. My bad!

Failed attempt? Or feigned attempt?

[Coach Dykhoff]

Originally Posted by JohnDorian37

is there any situation in which a pitcher (without disengaging the plate) can feint to first and it not be a balk (with runners on)?

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MLB RULEBOOK

8.05 If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when—

(b) The pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first base and fails to complete the throw;

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