Throwing to Unoccupied Base

[blueump]

Fed Ball - Situation:

R1 on third, R2 on first. R2 takes off on the pitch, in an apparent attempt to draw a throw to second so that R1 can score. The catcher throws back to the first baseman instead.

I know that a pitcher cannot throw to an unoccupied base, but the coach wanted me to call this illegal too? I didn't think so. Do you?

[SWFLguy]

Attempt to pick off a runner who is at 1st ??
What's the problem ??

[mcrowder]

First - even in baseball the pitcher can throw to the base where the runner WAS, and the catcher can throw to ANY base.

Second - in softball there are no such rules (the pitcher can't throw ANYwhere) at all. The catcher (in both sports) is simply an infielder trying to make a play. She could throw to F7 if she wanted to.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by blueump

Fed Ball - Situation:

R1 on third, R2 on first. R2 takes off on the pitch, in an apparent attempt to draw a throw to second so that R1 can score. The catcher throws back to the first baseman instead.

I know that a pitcher cannot throw to an unoccupied base, but the coach wanted me to call this illegal too? I didn't think so. Do you?

Talk about begging!