BlueJays-Sox (BalK)

[oreillywv]

Originally posted by Jim Porter
Of course, it's probably important to point out exactly what rule we're talking about. That way, I haven't confused anyone or been misunderstood.

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

He's not allowed to feint a throw to first. The word, "feint," is carefully chosen in the rule. It basically means, "a mock attack."

While all of that is interesting for us, it just boils down to, "Skip, he's got to throw to the base at first."

Pat O'Reilly response.
Thanks for all of the above. Very Informative. Isn't baseball fascinating? All the variations of a play. Here's one. Sixteen-year old all stars. Many great skills exhibited in this game. No wonder that at 67 I still love to officiate. With man on first, pitcher had made three pick-off attempts. Now the 1B is playing normal (deep), R1 has a good lead-off, and I back up a few steps from my normal tight coverage (3-man)crew. Pitcher whirls and throws to first. At about 3 feet off the bag, a glove + ball + helmeted head all meet up. Ball gets dropped. Safe. Is this a balk or a brilliant play? I asked the 1B, was he throwing to you or to the base? He was throwing to the base and just missed. Now for the great question; whisper to me how did you and the pitcher communicate on that play, was it through the catcher? No. The signal is: if I see the pitcher look back at 2B, the play is ON. Reaction please? Should a balk have been called?