Spin move to second

[Guest Aidan]

When you step off the back of the rubber, you become a fielder and can do whatever you want and if you step off the front of the rubber there’s only so much you can do or else you balk. So why then is it not a balk to jump pivot glove hand side to second and not throw it, when your back foot that was on the rubber is now closer to the catcher and your lead foot steps towards second. I understand you can fake a pickoff to second but I was always taught stepping off the front of the mound and not throwing the ball anywhere is a big no no.

[maven]

The jump turn is a legal move to throw to any base (with a runner or to make a play).

If you would have it as legal to throw to 2B, then it's legal to feint there.

The requirement is that F1, from the rubber, must step and then throw/feint. The jump turn is legal as long as the free foot steps toward 2B. As you describe it, F1 has done this ("lead foot steps toward second").

Note that the balk provisions do not dictate where the pivot foot lands during an otherwise legal pickoff/feint move. The fact that it moves toward HP here is irrelevant.

All codes agree here.

[Senor Azul]

The requirement is that F1, from the rubber, must step and then throw/feint. 

The usual suspect (Keyser Soze) here, Mr. maven. All that is required by rule and/or interpretation in a pickoff move to second base is the step toward the base--

FED Official Interpretation

The feint does not require arm motion. (Hopkins, Website 2002 #9)

SITUATION 9: With runners on first and third bases, the pitcher is in the set position. The pitcher then attempts the third-to-first pick-off move by stepping towards third base, and turning around and throwing to first. The third-base coach claims this is a balk since the pitcher, in his feint to third, only stepped toward third with no arm movement. RULING: This pick-off move is legal. A feint is a movement that simulates the start of a pitch or a throw to a base. Arm movement by a pitcher during a feint is not mandatory. (2-28-5)

From the 2018 Minor League Baseball Umpire Manual (section 6.19, p. 102):

Note that a pitcher, when faking a throw to second base, is not required to have arm motion in the fake, although a legal step is required.

From the 2013 Wendelstedt manual (p. 104):  Once a pitcher steps towards second base, he has fulfilled all of his requirements as a pitcher.