Balk?

[Guest Umpnblue]

I have had different answer to this scenario. 

This is for NFHS and MLB rules

Scenario #1:  Runner on 1B. Righthanded pitcher in the stretch. Pitcher spins to throw to the 1B who is behind or in front of the runner....is this a Balk? Or is it a judgment on the umpire if he feels a play is being made on runner even though off the base?

Scenario #2: Runner on 3B. Righthanded pitcher in the stretch. Pitcher steps toward 3B bah and throws to the 3B player who is about 5'-10' off the 3B bag....is this a Balk or is this a judgment as well?
 

[Gfoley4]

Yes, someone will no doubtly have the official interp for you, but it’s something like “the fielder must have a chance to make a play on the runner” It’s not a balk if the first baseman is not covering the base and the throw goes directly to the base where he’s not. 

 

Third base is is considered the same thing as first base in OBR, so it’s judgment. In high school and NCAA that would be legal. 

[noumpere]

2 hours ago, Guest Umpnblue said:

I have had different answer to this scenario. 

This is for NFHS and MLB rules

Scenario #1:  Runner on 1B. Righthanded pitcher in the stretch. Pitcher spins to throw to the 1B who is behind or in front of the runner....is this a Balk? Or is it a judgment on the umpire if he feels a play is being made on runner even though off the base?

Scenario #2: Runner on 3B. Righthanded pitcher in the stretch. Pitcher steps toward 3B bah and throws to the 3B player who is about 5'-10' off the 3B bag....is this a Balk or is this a judgment as well?
 

1) Judgment

2) Never a balk in FED (or other leagues where you can feint to third). Judgment in OBR (and other leagues where it's illegal to feint to third)

[JaxRolo]

1, Judgement

2. Not a balk. Period.

[maven]

3 hours ago, Guest Umpnblue said:

Or is it a judgment on the umpire if he feels a play is being made on runner even though off the base?

Yes, it's judgment; but there are guidelines. "A play is being made on the runner" is not tight enough: obviously, if the ball is thrown over there, a play is being made on the runner.

IIRC, OBR requires that F3 be moving toward the base before the throw begins, or it's a balk. Getting the throw and diving for the runner or base is not close enough.

FED requires that F3 be near enough to make a play on R1. Ordinarily, that will mean there must be a close play on the pickoff, not that F3 gets the ball and races R1 back to the bag.