Weird "is it a Balk"?
 

13U OBR, R1 & R3. F1 comes set, R1 takes off for 2B while F1 is set. F1, while engaged wheels around to throw to second but noticing that no one is covering holds onto the ball. OC wants a balk for a myriad of reasons (he didn't disengage, attempted to throw to an unoccupied base and what ever else he was hollering about).

I had no attempt to commit to pitch, he gained distance toward 2B in an attempt to make a play there. However it turned into a feint when F1 didn't release the ball.

So in the end we had a feint to an unoccupied base in an attempt to make a play. Is that a balk?

Not a balk.

+1

The thing to think of when odd things like this happen is... what rule did he break. If you can't come up with one, it's not a balk, even when it's goofy looking.

Would the relevant Fed rule be 6-2-4b:

[Illegal acts include: 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: 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;

Since F1 in the example stepped directly to 2nd, whether it was occupied or not, it would not be a balk. Correct?

Would the relevant OBR be 8.05c-d?

Seems to be opposite of intent for allowing a pitcher to wheel and throw to unoccupied base if he don't throw.

The only base that F1 cannot feint to - while engaged with the rubber - is 1st base. F1 can feint to 2nd or 3rd any time he wants.

But a runner was advancing to the base. So, the feint (or the throw) is allowed.

Something I learned a long time ago and have seen repeated on this forum many times.....You CAN'T balk to second base.

...provided the base is occupied or for the purpose of making a play, as in the OP.