[rck2nds]

When a runner is on third and the third baseman is down the line (protecting against the bunt) and the pitcher throws to the third baseman (who is not at the base) is it a balk?

[cincy_1]

When a runner is on third and the third baseman is down the line (protecting against the bunt) and the pitcher throws to the third baseman (who is not at the base) is it a balk?

Once he steps off, he can throw it anywhere, I think.

[KC]

cincy is correct

[tacomax]

When a runner is on third and the third baseman is down the line (protecting against the bunt) and the pitcher throws to the third baseman (who is not at the base) is it a balk?

I'm going to say yes, but this is purely based on the fact that I think it would be called a balk if it happened at 1st base. I once saw a match where the pitcher threw to the guy on first base for a pick-off but the first baseman was not at his base and was called a balk.

Odd thing about balks - they're like some ancient art form. Quite often when one happens on a televised baseball match, the commentators haven't got a clue on why it occurred.

[RickySteve]

He didn't say the pitcher stepped off the rubber.

[BAUS]

It depends if the pitcher is in the windup or the stretch.

BAUS

[rck2nds]

Assume the pitcher does everything correct and within the rules............if he throws to a player not with in "tagging" distance of the bag, is it a balk????

[cobra_king]

The answer to this is yes.

Part of Rule 8.05 (c) states.

A pitcher is to step DIRECTLY TOWARD A BASE before throwing to that base but does not require him to throw (except to first base only) because he steps.

Therefore if the 3rd baseman is playing well in and the pitcher throws the ball to him nowhere near the base it would be a balk.

[tacomax]

Assume the pitcher does everything correct and within the rules............if he throws to a player not with in "tagging" distance of the bag, is it a balk????

That was the assumption I made. Since I think that's a balk at 1st base, I'd say it's a balk at 3rd base as well.

Incidentally, do you know the right answer?

[homedog]

The answer to this is yes.

Part of Rule 8.05 (c) states.

A pitcher is to step DIRECTLY TOWARD A BASE before throwing to that base but does not require him to throw (except to first base only) because he steps.

Therefore if the 3rd baseman is playing well in and the pitcher throws the ball to him nowhere near the base it would be a balk.

If that is correct then I have learned something.

What happens if the pitcher steps off the rubber while the runner on 1st (trying to steal 2nd) has already made his move to 2nd and gets him caught up between 1st and 2nd?

The pitcher is taught to run straight at him and then throw in the direction he runs.

Is this a balk?

I think not.

[cobra_king]

The rule quoted applies while the pitcher is on the rubber and hasn't stepped off it.

[rck2nds]

I have always thought it to be a balk, although I've not been able to find a clear definition of this. I agree the rule can be interpretted that the pitcher, from the rubber must step directly at the base and throw to that base. If he steps off, he is then considered a fielder and can run at the base runner or throw to another fielder in any position. But he must step off the rubber first.

I've seen umpires at the high school level call this both ways, much like the foul tip / live ball ruling.

[Willie Bee]

I've seen umpires at the high school level call this both ways, much like the foul tip / live ball ruling.

The foul tip/live ball one is something a lot of people don't know about.

We don't have balks in Little League where I umpire, just illegal pitches. And yet I'll hear it several times a season from the stands, some parent will holler out balk even though it's just not possible at that level.

I recall there were a couple of managers, believe Tommy LaPasta was one of them, in the 80s who argued about the "throw to the bag" bit because of the way Keith Hernandez played first base. Hernandez would not get right on or in front of the bag like most first sackers, instead drifting off in front of the runner, almost matching the runner's lead. Often a pitcher's pickoff throw would be fielded by Hernandez several feet off the base. But since Hernandez was in swiping/tagging range of the runner, this was ruled ok.