5 - 3 Pick Off Balk

njdevs00cup

A pitcher executes the 5 - 3 pick off (steps properly to both bases) and gets the runner from first base to break. Is it a balk if:

a. he throws directly to second base (unoccupied)
b. runs at the runner and throws to second base

Rich

njdevs00cup wrote
A pitcher executes the 5 - 3 pick off (steps properly to both bases) and gets the runner from first base to break. Is it a balk if:

a. he throws directly to second base (unoccupied)
b. runs at the runner and throws to second base

As long as he disengages on the fake to third, he can do just about anything he likes.

David B

njdevs00cup wrote
A pitcher executes the 5 - 3 pick off (steps properly to both bases) and gets the runner from first base to break. Is it a balk if:

a. he throws directly to second base (unoccupied)
b. runs at the runner and throws to second base

As Rich wrote, once he disengages (steps toward third) then he become an infielder and he is free.

So the answer would be
a. no
b. no

Thanks
DAvid