Pitcher throws to unoccupied base

It's legal as long as the pitcher disengages the rubber with his foot. He does not have to make a throw to second and third - think of the third to first move because he steps to third and fakes the throw to third and turns for possible play at first. This is legal because his step towards third made him leave the rubber.

Once the pitcher has left the rubber he is a fielder and can throw to any base at any time.

There will be much smarter people come in after me to explain it much better than I did. Just ignore the guy named all knowing garth because he is a troll.

Be careful on the "third to first" situation -- it's not quite that simple. Our seasoned umps may want to add a comment.

Hoover 1,
This might be a great opportunity to pull out the rule book and study it. Quoted below is a portion of the FED rules regarding balks, and the quoted section covers most of the concepts necessary to answer your question. In elaboration:
1. Once the pitcher steps off legally (I'm gonna assume here that the pitcher did the "up and over move" correctly), he can throw anywhere because has temporarily become a fielder.
But if he is in contact.....
2. First base is special only because the pitcher may not feint a throw to first. He can feint to second or third.
3. He can't throw to an unoccupied base except to put out or drive back a runner (the drive back part only is true in FED and not in OBR). There is nothing special about first base in this regard.

So in your situation, it isn't a balk in more than one way. First the pitcher was clearly off the rubber before making any throw, so throwing to any base is legal. Even if he were still in contact, throwing to third would be OK as long as he is trying to put out or drive back the runner. Practically speaking, that means that unless the runner is camped at second with no lead, a throw to third is usually legal.

About the only way the pitcher may have balked is to have not stepped off legally.

From NFHS Rule 6-2-4:
ART. 4 Balk. If there is a runner or runners, any of the following acts by a pitcher while he is touching the pitcher’s plate is a balk:
a. any feinting toward the batter or first base, or any dropping of the ball(even though accidental) and the ball does not cross a foul line (6-1-4);
b. failing to step with the non-pivot foot directly toward a base (occupied or unoccupied) when throwing or feinting there in an attempt to put out, or drive back a runner; or throwing or feinting to any unoccupied base when it is not an attempt to put out or drive back a runner;

Hoover,

The move is called an inside move. As you explained it, it is not a balk. Reiterating what Coach2709 said, he disengaged, he became an infieder.

We will typically use an inside move for the following: (for those that don't know and inside move is only used at second base)

*you think he might be stealing

*you think the hitter might be bunting (it is informative)

*runner doesn't honor that fact that you can inside move him (ie, he gets his secondary as soon as pitcher lifts his leg....just a way to keep him honest)

You don't have to throw the ball to second or third ever.....

In the examples given you don't throw either....except in the case you explained.....

quote:

Originally posted by RPD:
Be careful on the "third to first" situation -- it's not quite that simple. Our seasoned umps may want to add a comment.

What am I missing (respectfully asked)?

As long as the pitcher "gains ground" towards third on the move AND leaves the rubber he is now a fielder. Now he can turn and do whatever he wants.

Is there some obscure rule I am missing?

You are right on Coach....gotta gain ground....turn then do what ever you want...

quote:

Originally posted by coach2709:

quote:

Originally posted by RPD:
Be careful on the "third to first" situation -- it's not quite that simple. Our seasoned umps may want to add a comment.

What am I missing (respectfully asked)?

As long as the pitcher "gains ground" towards third on the move AND leaves the rubber he is now a fielder. Now he can turn and do whatever he wants.

Is there some obscure rule I am missing?

You are correct coach, well for the most part. The only thing I would add is that in FED a pitcher can feint to third and throw to first while still being on the rubber. In this situation, the pitcher is still considered engaged on the rubber so he cannot feint to first but he can throw.

If the pitcher feints to third, disengages the rubber and feints to first, that is legal.

In OBR, the pitcher MUST disengage the rubber after feinting to third before he can throw to first.

quote:

You are correct coach, well for the most part. The only thing I would add is that in FED a pitcher can feint to third and throw to first while still being on the rubber. In this situation, the pitcher is still considered engaged on the rubber so he cannot feint to first but he can throw.

If the pitcher feints to third, disengages the rubber and feints to first, that is legal.

In OBR, the pitcher MUST disengage the rubber after feinting to third before he can throw to first.

Thanks Welpe - I wonder if this is what RPD was talking about.

quote:

Originally posted by RPD:
Be careful on the "third to first" situation -- it's not quite that simple. Our seasoned umps may want to add a comment.

Be careful.

I'm sure that what RPD was referring to was the ability in Fed to stay engaged on the third to first move. In NCAA and OBR you required to break contact on the move to third. If you stay engaged the move to first is a balk. In Fed you may make the feint to third, stay engaged and throw to first. If you stay engaged then you must throw.

In the OP the pitcher stepped over the back toward second, stepped off, took a few steps and then threw to third. This is perfectly legal. Once he desengaged he is a fielder and may do what he wants.
If the runner breaks early enough, the pitcher step directly to third and throw.In NCAA and OBR he may do this to play on a runner stealing. In Fed he may do this to play on the runner or drive him babk.
The big difference is in Fed it only has to a break more than his lead. In NCAA/OBR it has to be more, a ligitament attempt to advance. I am in the halfway or better to determine this. It is a rule of thumb and not a "must do" measurement.