3rd to 1st Move Becomes a Balk

[Manny A]

Wait a minute. From the article that was referenced above:

"Under a rule change imposed by Major League Baseball for this season, pitchers can no longer fake a pickoff throw to third base."

So, are they making ALL fakes to third base illegal? Or just the ones that are followed with a subsequent move to first base?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Wait a minute. From the article that was referenced above:

"Under a rule change imposed by Major League Baseball for this season, pitchers can no longer fake a pickoff throw to third base."

So, are they making ALL fakes to third base illegal? Or just the ones that are followed with a subsequent move to first base?

All fakes.

(The subsequent move to first as part of the 3-1 move isn't important because F1 disengaged and was merely a fielder at that point.)

[maven]

Originally Posted by Rich

All fakes.

A lot of confusion out there. For example:


"Major League Baseball is imposing a rule that pitchers who fake a throw to third base and then throw to another base will be charged with a balk, according to the New York Times."
MLB roundup: New balk rule set for this season - Yahoo! Sports

But when you look up the NYT original piece, you find this:

"Under a rule change imposed by Major League Baseball for this season, pitchers can no longer fake a pickoff throw to third base."
Baseball Rule Change Eliminates a Fake Pickoff by Pitcher - NYTimes.com

[Manny A]

{Groan...}

I'll just wait until the actual wording comes out.

[Rich]

I couldn't possibly care one way or the other.

[MD Longhorn]

I only care so I know how to call it next year. The results of this rule at our levels will be negligible.

The results at MLB is really just a time saver. The move is stupid and a complete waste of time at that level - it VERY RARELY gets anyone. With game times creeping up again, this might help getting it back toward 3 hours. (Do away with a batter stepping out more than once per AB would be another major step, imho).