Pickoff question

[Guest Coach]

Last tournament we had a runner on first multiple times and the pitcher would throw over. The problem was that the first baseman was not at first base but in between the runner and the bag. I said it was a balk and the umpires disagreed.

The book says the pitcher must throw to a base, not that he must throw to a defender. Your opinion? Thanks.

[Rich Ives]

Last tournament we had a runner on first multiple times and the pitcher would throw over. The problem was that the first baseman was not at first base but in between the runner and the bag. I said it was a balk and the umpires disagreed.

The book says the pitcher must throw to a base, not that he must throw to a defender. Your opinion? Thanks.

 

If the throw is on line to the vicinity of the base and gets intercepted before it gets there it's OK - the throw was toward the base.

 

If the throw to F3 gives him a legitimate play on the runner then it's OK.

[Replacematt]

Last tournament we had a runner on first multiple times and the pitcher would throw over. The problem was that the first baseman was not at first base but in between the runner and the bag. I said it was a balk and the umpires disagreed.

The book says the pitcher must throw to a base, not that he must throw to a defender. Your opinion? Thanks.

He must throw to first base or a fielder close enough to make a play at first. To throw away from first base to a fielder not in position to make a play is considered a feint to first, and thus illegal. The same goes for third if your rules have banned feints to third. The restriction does not apply to second.

In your case, if F3 could have made a play, no balk.

[BuckeyeMike]

Matt brings up a good point.  R2 and the RH pitcher does an inside move and throws to F6 standing right where an F6 should stand.........not a balk, even though it wasn't to the base.

[grayhawk]

Matt brings up a good point. R2 and the RH pitcher does an inside move and throws to F6 standing right where an F6 should stand.........not a balk, even though it wasn't to the base.

Totally different rule for second base. Since a feint to second is legal, the throw need not be to the base or to a fielder in a position to make a play.

[BuckeyeMike]

Yep.  that's what I was I was trying to illustrate.