Originally Posted by NewUmpire:
AS a player and coach, you teach that with a RH pitcher, break to steal on first motion of left foot. With a LH pitcher, you break when right foot breaks the plane of the rubber. In reality, the runner should not leave until pitcher has started forward motion or the pitcher can "wheel" and throw to second. Also since the runner has not established second base, second is considered to be unoccupied. I always knew the rule to be that you can not throw to an unoccupied base. It amazes me that pitching coaches haven't picked up on this and taught the pitchers to "wheel" to second when the runner breaks.
You quoted the appropriate rule but I don't think you understand it. The pitcher is permitted to throw (or feint) to unoccupied 2nd base if it is an attempt to put out or drive back, the runner. The only requirement is that the pitchers motion to 2nd is continuous and uninterrupted. Neither 1st movement by a RHP nor "breaking the plane" by a LHP commits the pitcher to the plate (and thereby precludes a move to 2nd).
When the lefty brings his free foot behind the rubber, he is restricted to two things: delivering a pitch or continuing with his free foot towards 2nd base where he can legally throw or feint (to put out or drive back the runner). He is not committed to the plate (and the runner is at risk of being picked) until his free foot reverses direction and starts back towards the plate.
If the first movement by the righty is to bring his free foot towards 1st, he is permitted to step and throw to 1st, or continue to spin on his pivot foot and step with the free foot towards 2nd, where he can legally throw (or feint) as long as the runner was breaking while the pitcher was making his move to 2nd. It is not a balk if the runner then stops his advance and retreats to 1st (FED is a bit more lenient than other codes in this respect).
