Fake to third, throw to first

No, neither FED nor NCAA have adopted this. They probably will next year. As for OBR-based youth rulesets, I don't know.

Thanks so much for the info!

I know that with OBR based rulesets, it is a grab bag.  Some have specifically adopted it, some are waiting until the official OBR is published, and some have said wait until next year (aka we are not changing midstream, it did not come out fast enough for us to change).  So ask the state interpreter or look up the org ruleset to see if they have adopted it. 

Also, NCAA might be a couple of years, because this is the first year of a 2 year update of the rules there.

8.05

If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when—

(b) The pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first or third base and fails to

complete the throw;

(c) The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward a base before

throwing to that base;

Rule 8.05(c) Comment: Requires the pitcher, while touching his plate, to step directly

toward a base before throwing to that base. If a pitcher turns or spins off of his free foot without actually stepping or if he turns his body and throws before stepping, it is a balk.

A pitcher is to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base and is required to throw (except to second base) because he steps. It is a balk if, with runners on first and third, the pitcher steps toward third and does not throw, merely to bluff the runner back to third; then seeing the runner on first start for second, turn and step toward and throw to first base. It is legal for a pitcher to feint a throw to second base.

OBR seems pretty clear.  If you step off to 3rd you have to throw there. 

Yeah, OBR is clear, but does that mean all orgs have adopted it yet? Heck, some umpires probably don't even know there is an updated OBR.  I was just giving the positions leagues had at the preseason meetings and such (as updated OBR wasn't up until a couple of weeks ago).

Cyclone:

Here in AZ of course we're already well into our spring season.  It was a quick discussion with the coaches the first couple of weeks after we got word.  I had 2 or 3 calls the first couple of tournaments and since then it has not been an issue.  The confusion that did exist related to the discusion that the new rule did away with the 1st to 3rd.  Coaches were telling there kids they couldn't step off towards 3rd then go back to first.  It seems to be more easily understood if you just say that 3rd is now treated like 1st; if you step off in that direction, you have to throw there. 

It would be helpful if FED were to adopt for next season. 

3Gen,

I think FED will make the change next year.  The only thing I heard that prevented it from happening this year was that the books went to press before MLB came out with the change.  NCAA will be more difficult, and this is per an umpire in my HS association that also does some NCAA.  They just had rule changes this year.  NCAA is on a 2 year cycle, so they will probably not change until the 2015 season.  We are still working on getting the word out in VA about the rule change in OBR, but it is going fairly smoothly.  Only called the fake to third balk once last weekend, and all the coach said was "Johnny, you can't do that"

As far as I know:

OBR-yes

Fed-no

NCAA-no

LL-no

Pony-yes I think but check

USSSA-yes

AL-yes

NCAA has made mid-cycle changes, though. I think they've mostly been interpretations or minor changes, but I can see them making the change for this.

The only rules changes they are supposed to make mid-cycle are for safety.  I don't see how this would qualify under that guideline.

It is under discussion.

The 3-1 move is still LEGAL in high school.  Essentially what the NFHS has said is that the fake to 3rd is still legal.  And once the pitcher fakes to 3rd it is almost physically impossible for him to remain in contact (engaged) with the rubber.  So when he fakes or throws to 1st he is doing so as an infielder not as a pitcher.

Also remember, if he then throws the ball into the first base dugout it's gonna be a two base NOT a one base award because he will have disengaged the rubber.

Unless you have "Stretch Armstrong" out there, but this is high school not the pros and not the circus.  :-)

Some of yall were WAY off on when NCAA or NFHS would adopt this rule.

Although, I do understand the precedent set on many other rules changes throughout history.