Pick off to unoccupied base

[BLPLYER]

Found this exception online and had someone argue it last weekend.  If this were true why wouldn't a right handed pitcher pick up his left foot and inside move to 2nd and fake throw on any steal attempt?  We have always been taught once he picks up his left foot he MUST go home?

Also had a runner leave early from 2nd base to 3rd base and pitcher just picked up his foot and threw to 3rd baseman rather than stepping off and or doing an inside move towards 2nd.

No, a pitcher cannot pick off to an unoccupied base. Doing so constitutes a balk. A balk is when a pitcher makes a move that is deceptive or intended to hinder the runner's progress, and throwing to an unoccupied base falls under that

Exceptions:

There are a few exceptions to the balk rule.

For example, a pitcher is allowed to fake a throw to second base while in contact with the rubber, provided that he steps towards second. Additionally, if a runner is attempting to steal or advance to a base, a pitcher can throw to that base, even if it's not technically occupied.

[grayhawk]

So is your question about, with R1 stealing, if a RH F1 can inside move and throw to second? If so, the answer is yes. It's just the same as your example of R2 stealing and F1 stepping and throwing to 3B.

[Replacematt]

37 minutes ago, BLPLYER said:

Found this exception online and had someone argue it last weekend.  If this were true why wouldn't a right handed pitcher pick up his left foot and inside move to 2nd and fake throw on any steal attempt?  We have always been taught once he picks up his left foot he MUST go home?

Because it's really easy (assuming competent umpiring) for the offense to draw a balk here by feinting a steal of second. 

If that runner baits the pitcher by giving the illusion of taking off while the pitcher is lifting their leg, stopping that advance before the step to 2B means that it is now a balk.

[jimurrayalterego]

1 hour ago, BLPLYER said:

Additionally, if a runner is attempting to steal or advance to a base, a pitcher can throw to that base, even if it's not technically occupied.

Attempting or creating the impression, also known as feinting.

"Rule 6.02(a)(4) Comment: When determining whether the pitcher throws or feints a throw to an unoccupied base for the purpose of making a play, the umpire should consider whether a runner on the previous base demonstrates or otherwise creates an impression of his intent to advance to such unoccupied base."

[jimurrayalterego]

56 minutes ago, Replacematt said:

Because it's really easy (assuming competent umpiring) for the offense to draw a balk here by feinting a steal of second. 

If that runner baits the pitcher by giving the illusion of taking off while the pitcher is lifting their leg, stopping that advance before the step to 2B means that it is now a balk.

Is "giving the illusion" not the same as "creating the impression"?

[Replacematt]

3 hours ago, jimurrayalterego said:

Is "giving the illusion" not the same as "creating the impression"?

Not in the way I'm using it.

Your comment is contained in Wendelstedt footnote 220. Immediately following that, in 221 (and case play J33,) it clarifies that if a runner takes steps and stops before the pitcher makes their step, it is a balk.

[noumpere]

9 hours ago, BLPLYER said:

Found this exception online and had someone argue it last weekend. (1) If this were true why wouldn't a right handed pitcher pick up his left foot and inside move to 2nd and fake throw on any steal attempt? (2) We have always been taught once he picks up his left foot he MUST go home?

(3)Also had a runner leave early from 2nd base to 3rd base and pitcher just picked up his foot and threw to 3rd baseman rather than stepping off and or doing an inside move towards 2nd.

No, a pitcher cannot pick off to an unoccupied base. Doing so constitutes a balk. (4) A balk is when a pitcher makes a move that is deceptive or intended to hinder the runner's progress, and throwing to an unoccupied base falls under that

Exceptions:

There are a few exceptions to the balk rule.

For example, a pitcher is allowed to fake a throw to second base while in contact with the rubber, provided that he steps towards second. Additionally, if a runner is attempting to steal or advance to a base, a pitcher can throw to that base, even if it's not technically occupied.

1)  A pitcher can do what you suggest, but in practice it's hard to pull off and affects the pitch if the runner isn't advancing.

2) What you were taught was wrong.

3) The move you describe toward third was perfectly legal.

4) That's not the definition of a balk.

[beerguy55]

12 hours ago, BLPLYER said:

 If this were true why wouldn't a right handed pitcher pick up his left foot and inside move to 2nd and fake throw on any steal attempt?

To put it bluntly...because it's F*#King hard to do.

It's hard to make that reaction in real time, in a fraction of a second, to realize R1 is going (your back is to the runner) and then determine that you are still in time to make the move to second base.

[grayhawk]

1 hour ago, beerguy55 said:

To put it bluntly...because it's F*#King hard to do.

It's hard to make that reaction in real time, in a fraction of a second, to realize R1 is going (your back is to the runner) and then determine that you are still in time to make the move to second base.

The only realistic way to pull it off is if R1 breaks early. If that happens, the vast majority of the time, F1 just steps off and either throws or runs at the runner.