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Lefty Going to Unoccupied 2nd to force back runner

H Harv100+ posts
Runner on first. As LHP begins his knee lift the runner on first breaks for second. Second is unoccupied. LHP continues his knee lift and pivots to second to throw ball to middle infielder to tag advancing runner. NFHS rules

Rule 6-2 article 4 would seem to allow this as the pitcher is "forcing back the runner". It also appears to allow the pitcher to pivot and throw to a middle infielder (as opposed to directly to the bag) to force back the runner.

There is much confusion here in NW Colorado among the HS unpires.

Your help please.
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piaa_umppiaa_ump5,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Harv:
Runner on first. As LHP begins his knee lift the runner on first breaks for second. Second is unoccupied. LHP continues his knee lift and pivots to second to throw ball to middle infielder to tag advancing runner. NFHS rules

Rule 6-2 article 4 would seem to allow this as the pitcher is "forcing back the runner". It also appears to allow the pitcher to pivot and throw to a middle infielder (as opposed to directly to the bag) to force back the runner.

There is much confusion here in NW Colorado among the HS unpires.

Your help please.


I am not sure what the confusion amongst the local HS umpires would be in this case?....are they saying that this is throwing to an unoccupied base?

This is 100% Legal....and is not throwing to an occupied base....the runner going to second makes this an "attempt to make a play" on that runner...and it perfectly legal....
H Harv100+ posts
Not towards first but rather past (beyond the plane of the rubber) the rubber, more to the second base side, does not throw the ball but rather hangs on to it and runs to a lead angle that will head off the runner going to second. This would be the case if he pivoted to throw to second to "force the runner back" and there was not yet a middle infielder there. Does he have the option to not throw?
Michael S. TaylorMichael S. Taylor1,000+ posts
Yes, but he does risk being balked by a less enlightened umpire.
Remember that in any code the pitcher is allowed to throw to an unoccupied base to make a play. The difference is in high school he can be trying to retire the runner or driving the runner back. In any other code the runner has to be making a real attempt at stealing.
If you have any more questions feel free.

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