throwing to unoccupied base

If there were 2 dummies....it wasnt the umpires... except maybe for the umpire who said this was a new rule......this is not new.....

A pitcher may throw to an unoccupied base in order to make a play..........that is not a balk....

Often the problem comes in when people read the rule book incompletely....the rule says it is a balk to throw to an unoccupied base....(then adds) except to make a play........some only read the first part and not the second....if the rule was written correctly it would state, Except to make a play, it is a balk to throw to an unoccupied base......

Corresponding NFHS rule...6-2 Article 4 B.

Balk if there is a runner or runners, any of the following acts by a pitcher while he is touching the pitchers's plate is a balk.

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...

He stepped directly toward 3rd....and it was an attempt to make a play on a runner (you)....

Unfortunately you are out and your coach was wrong...

PS...as a baserunner never stop running until an umpire tells you its a balk.....

Try to explain the situation a little better. You did state it was a balk and you stopped running, was the balk called by an umpire? Or did you stop becuase you thought he balked? you did state that he stepped directly toward thrid and you were tagged out, that sounds legal to me.

It is not a balk. The umpires were not the dummies. At least now, you are no longer one of those dummies. And, you can advise your coach so he won't be the other on this issue. And, I am not putting any smilies when things are presented this way.

We as umpires try to be courteous and professional. Please try to do the same when presenting a situation. You will have better credibility in the future.

quote:

Originally posted by baseballboydeuce:
in a summer ball game i decided to steal 3rd, the pitcher was in the stretch and saw me going he stepped directly at 3rd base, i stopped running because it was a balk. The third baseman tagged me and the ump told me i was out. our coach argued then the homeplate ump came out and said i was out and it was a new rule you could do this. Please tell me these are two dumb umpires

The only dummy here is the coach. I'll never understand how an adult can take on the responsibility to train and educate young players and not take the time to know the rules that will, in part, decide these young men's success or failure.

Heck, people pay more attention to the rules when they play scrabble.

The only mistake was the PU saying it is a new rule. In my 36 years of umpiring it has been a rule.
Never assume a call will be made. That just happened in the Miami/Florida game. A freshman SS thought he caught a sinking liner just above the dirt so he made no throw to first. The umpires had a no catch so there was bases loaded instead of being out of the inning.

so im assuming this is legal to do if a runner goes to second also

quote:

Originally posted by baseballboydeuce:
so im assuming this is legal to do if a runner goes to second also

Invest in a rule book. In pro rules it is legal to throw to an unoccupied base to make a play. In high school it is legal to throw to an unoccupled base to make a play or drive back a runner.

quote:

Originally posted by baseballboydeuce:
so im assuming this is legal to do if a runner goes to second also

you assume correctly....its absolutely legal........the rule book does not differentiate between bases in establishing legality.....