High school game. Balk?

[Guest David]

Runner on third takes a significant lead.  Pitcher goes into motion, takes a look at runner.  Pitcher does not step off.  Instead with right foot in runner pitcher kicks with left toward third and steps toward third and makes throwing motion to third but does not throw to third.  Changes his mind and as runner runs to the plate pitcher throws to the plate.  Balk for kicking/stepping toward third but not throwing towards third?  Rule 8.5 raises a question but explanation given by head ump as to why no balk does not sit right.  Explanation given is that since his right foot would have disengaged with the rubber once his stepped toward third he would be considered disengaged, no longer in the rubber and therefore could legally not throw to third and could throw home.  Thoughts?  Thanks.

[noumpere]

I'm confused by your description but:

IT's legal in HS ball to feint to third from the set position (not from the windup position.)

If in doing so, the pivot foot broke contact with the runner (a happens 99% of the time on a feint), the pitcher is now an infielder and can throw home.

 

If he stepped-toward-third-threw-t -home-across-his-body all in one motion, that's a balk.

[Tborze]

1 hour ago, Guest David said:

Runner on third takes a significant lead.  Pitcher goes into motion, takes a look at runner.  Pitcher does not step off.  Instead with right foot in runner pitcher kicks with left toward third and steps toward third and makes throwing motion to third but does not throw to third.  Changes his mind and as runner runs to the plate pitcher throws to the plate.  Balk for kicking/stepping toward third but not throwing towards third?  Rule 8.5 raises a question but explanation given by head ump as to why no balk does not sit right.  Explanation given is that since his right foot would have disengaged with the rubber once his stepped toward third he would be considered disengaged, no longer in the rubber and therefore could legally not throw to third and could throw home.  Thoughts?  Thanks.

You said High School but mention the OBR rule. Two different rulings!  

[maven]

I'm also wondering whether "goes into motion" suggests the windup. It's illegal to throw OR feint to any base from the windup in FED baseball.

It's also worth bearing in mind two points:

ugly ≠ illegal

never seen before ≠ illegal