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re: Should flinching on a pickoff without throwing the ball be outlawed in baseball?
Posted on 2/21/15 at 5:54 pm to harmonics
Posted on 2/21/15 at 5:54 pm to harmonics
quote:
On a pick-off play, is a pitcher allowed to throw straight to second base on a runner stealing from first?
I'm pretty sure throwing to an unoccupied base from the rubber is a balk. It's legal if he steps off, but that requires the base runner to have already started his steal before the pitcher starts his motion, which only happens a small percentage of the time.
1
Posted on 2/21/15 at 6:22 pm to Rusty Bates
quote:
quote: On a pick-off play, is a pitcher allowed to throw straight to second base on a runner stealing from first?
I'm pretty sure throwing to an unoccupied base from the rubber is a balk. It's legal if he steps off, but that requires the base runner to have already started his steal before the pitcher starts his motion, which only happens a small percentage of the time.
A pitcher can pick to an unoccupied base from the rubber ONLY IF there is a play to be made at said base. This is rarely if ever utilized due to the high probability of no play being available at said base, and thus being a balk. The most common instance for it to be used would be runners on 1st and 2nd, two outs, and a full count. In this instance, the runners should be moving on the pitch. The pitcher could pick to third base, and if the runner on second is in the process of advancing to third, the pick would be legal.
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