This situation happened to my 14U team playing under Pony / MLB rules.
1st and 3rd situation. Pitcher steps toward and fakes throw to 3rd, then jump pivots to look at 1B and finds the runner going to 2B. He waits, then throws when the runner was about 2/3 of the way to the base for an out.
Umpires conferred, then ruled a balk. I appealed the call but the FU said it was because he was throwing to an unoccupied base. In further discussion with the plate umpire, he said it was because he did not step toward the base he was throwing to.
I think that it was a perfectly legal fake to 3B. I also see in the OBR that it is a balk if throwing to an unoccupied base, EXCEPT to make a play.
So did the guys have it wrong? If not I guess I am not clear about what he can or cannot do when the runner is actually going to 2nd.
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