Runners on 2nd & 3rd. 0 outs. 3-2 count on batter.

 

P from the stretch wheels and turns toward 2B to make a pickoff attempt without stepping off the rubber 1st. Neither 2B nor SS are covering the base, so P throws the ball directly to SS at his drawn in position. Runner on 2nd has such a big lead, he gets caught in a pickle and is eventually tagged out.

 

What's the call?

 

A - BALK. Without stepping off the rubber, P must throw to the base he wheels toward (or he may fake a throw to 2nd or 3rd). When he threw to the SS instead of the base or faking a throw, he has balked.

 

B - Runner on 2nd is out by tag. Since a P may fake a throw to 2nd or 3rd (he may not fake a throw to 1st), he is not obligated to throw to the base when he wheels there. Treat it as if he faked to 2nd and then threw to SS. He would also have been permitted to simply run at the runner to start the pickle.

 

C - Something else or for a different reason?

If the pitcher doesn't clear the rubber I would say a balk. You also can fake a throw to first as long as you are not in contact with the rubber.

I would say A.

If the pitcher doesn't clear the rubber I would say a balk. You also can fake a throw to first as long as you are not in contact with the rubber.

 

Just to clarify, in order to fake a throw to first, a P must step off the rubber 1st. By doing so, he ceases to be a P and becomes an infielder and can do what he likes.

 

As to 2nd and 3rd, the P can step directly to 2nd or 3rd with his right foot (for a RHP) still in contact with the rubber and fake a throw. If a P steps directly to 1st with his right foot (for a RHP) still in contact with the rubber, he must throw and cannot fake.

I vote for 'A' balk. My interpretation of the rule is - if you throw the ball, you have to throw it to a base, otherwise it is a balk.

 

However, the umpires seem to be having difficulty this high school season deciding exactly what is 'stepping toward the base'. Brossart has had a lot of balks on left handers stepping 45% towards first base (another balk called last night against Scott).

Runners on 2nd & 3rd. 0 outs. 3-2 count on batter.

 

P from the stretch wheels and turns toward 2B to make a pickoff attempt without stepping off the rubber 1st. Neither 2B nor SS are covering the base, so P throws the ball directly to SS at his drawn in position. Runner on 2nd has such a big lead, he gets caught in a pickle and is eventually tagged out.

 

What's the call?

 

A - BALK. Without stepping off the rubber, P must throw to the base he wheels toward (or he may fake a throw to 2nd or 3rd). When he threw to the SS instead of the base or faking a throw, he has balked.

 

B - Runner on 2nd is out by tag. Since a P may fake a throw to 2nd or 3rd (he may not fake a throw to 1st), he is not obligated to throw to the base when he wheels there. Treat it as if he faked to 2nd and then threw to SS. He would also have been permitted to simply run at the runner to start the pickle.

 

C - Something else or for a different reason?

 

I will go with B.

I go with B.

B is the answer.

The correct answer is B.

 

If there's a runner on 2B I can't think of any way you can balk if you're making a play on that runner.

The correct answer is B.

 

You only took B because I did. I am not impressed.

The answer is be. As a pitcher you are allowed to jump turn and not throw to second.

You only took B because I did. I am not impressed.

 

I always wait for you to respond and then I agree .

 

Seriously, you cannot balk to 2nd base with a runner on 2nd. When you spin towards 2B you are meeting the requirement. There is no requirement that the throw itself be TO the base.

 

The other play that gets people all jacked up for no reason is when the P spins towards 2B and the runner takes off to 3B. The P then proceeds to throw it to the waiting F5. People scream for a balk but the rule specifically allows it.

The answer is be. As a pitcher you are allowed to jump turn and not throw to second.

 

Not that it really matters, but the scenario presented did not include a jump turn. He kept his foot on the rubber. A pitcher using a "jump turn" move is considered to have made the move with his foot on the rubber. Therefore, a pitcher cannot make a jump turn to first and not make a throw, but can do so to any other base obviously.

I always wait for you to respond and then I agree .

 

Seriously, you cannot balk to 2nd base with a runner on 2nd. When you spin towards 2B you are meeting the requirement. There is no requirement that the throw itself be TO the base.

 

The other play that gets people all jacked up for no reason is when the P spins towards 2B and the runner takes off to 3B. The P then proceeds to throw it to the waiting F5. People scream for a balk but the rule specifically allows it.

 

Yes, it is allowed due to the provision that he is "making a player on the runner."

Yes, it is allowed due to the provision that he is "making a player on the runner."

 

But what is the argument you always hear for the balk to be called?