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10 replies

Balk or not

K krazykurt1213Member
Hello everyone,

I was umpiring in a men's wood bat Latino league on Sunday and had this situation.

Runners on 1st and 2nd and the right handed pitcher lifted his front foot like he was going to do the slow spin and throw to 2nd, however, being behind the plate I saw him lift up his foot, but he wound up faking a throw to 3rd, which was unoccupied and then throwing to 2nd. I called a balk, because he faked to an unoccupied base. It was like a 1st and 3rd pick off play but no one 3rd?????
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C coach.miller10+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by mstcks:
So if I understand this correctly, if the R2 took off for third, the pitcher could have gone to third after lifting his leg to throw the runner out with no penalty?


No, he would have had to spin towards second, step off, and then run after runner or make the throw. At no time can you commit to an empty bag as your first move is my understanding.

*Edit
I didn't see the "except for the purpose of making a play..." That is what you're asking. Hmmm. That's a new one to me.
Last edited by coach.miller
N NavyUmp10+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by coach.miller:
quote:
Originally posted by mstcks:
So if I understand this correctly, if the R2 took off for third, the pitcher could have gone to third after lifting his leg to throw the runner out with no penalty?


No, he would have had to spin towards second, step off, and then run after runner or make the throw. At no time can you commit to an empty bag as your first move is my understanding.


Coach.m, you are incorrect. If the runner breaks for 3B (i.e. not a feint) then F1 can step directly to third and throw
biggerpapibiggerpapi5,000+ posts
Along these lines, I have a questiion about pick offs to first where the fielder isn't holding the runner.

Today with runners on first and third, first baseman was playing in front of the runner, probably 8' from first base on a direct line to the mound.

Unexpectedly, the pitcher spun and threw a pick off to first. Luckily for the firstbaseman, he was able to see it and catch it.

But he wasn't holding the runner on. Any chance this is a balk? It wasn't called as such.
D dash_riprock1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by biggerpapi:
Along these lines, I have a questiion about pick offs to first where the fielder isn't holding the runner.

Today with runners on first and third, first baseman was playing in front of the runner, probably 8' from first base on a direct line to the mound.

Unexpectedly, the pitcher spun and threw a pick off to first. Luckily for the firstbaseman, he was able to see it and catch it.

But he wasn't holding the runner on. Any chance this is a balk? It wasn't called as such.


If the throw is directly to the base, it is not a balk no matter where the first baseman is. If the throw is to the first baseman away from the base, it is not a balk as long as he is close enough to make a play on the runner.

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