balk questions

First one is a balk. Reason is some part of his foot went behind the rubber most likely. Once it does that, he is committed to pitch or go to 2B. If he completed a throw(feint) to 2B, then he can look to 1B for a throw if he thinks he can get the runner still.

Second one: F1 can rotate to 2B for a pickoff. Just b/c there is a runner at 3B, it does not limit him from making legal moves to 2B still. He can feint(throw) to 3B or he can do the same to 2B. The only thing is it has to be done legally

great-thanks for clarification.so as i read it you can fake to 2nd but can throw to first after completing step to 2nd

That's it. And, you can even fake to 1B after completing the feint to 2B.

Is there anything specific that must happen with the pivot foot to make this legal? (With runners on 1st and 2nd- feint to 2B and throw to 1B)

quote:

Originally posted by Tangents23:
Is there anything specific that must happen with the pivot foot to make this legal? (With runners on 1st and 2nd- feint to 2B and throw to 1B)

It will have to come off before a throw could be made to 1st. A pirouette all the way to 1st would be a balk. when F1 breaks the plane of the rubber, home or feint/throw to 2B.

quote:

Originally posted by hch1776:
runner on 1st and 2nd-pitcher in stretch-lifts leg and rotates to 2nd-continues rotating to first-and throws to first-is this a balk?

It is a balk because rotating 270° is not stepping directly to the base.

quote:

runners 2nd and third -pitcher lives leg -does he have to throw to third or can he continue rotation to 2nd and throw to 2nd?

There is never a requirement to throw to 3rd (or 2nd). As long as the motion is continuous, rotating to 2nd is legal.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr Umpire:
First one is a balk. Reason is some part of his foot went behind the rubber most likely. Once it does that, he is committed to pitch or go to 2B.

In FED, the entire foot must go past the back edge of the rubber for this requirement to kick in. Breaking the plane is not enough.

What about this? R1, pitcher in stretch. Right handed pitcher lifts leg to the "balance" position, then steps directly backward towards first. Balk/no balk?

Yes because any further motion is going to be toward the plate. Can he raise his leg and still go to first, sure. The difference is he has to be moving his body toward first as he is raising his leg. Subtle but important.

Once you lift your leg, you can step to second, third, or home. These are common...why can you not step backward toward first base without moving toward the plate?

quote:

Originally posted by d8:
Once you lift your leg, you can step to second, third, or home. These are common...why can you not step backward toward first base without moving toward the plate?

Nothing forbids this.

You can step to first, can't feint to first.

Thanks for the input....you seldom see this, but it makes for a nasty pick-off move at first.

I had a left hander that used to do this to third.