3rd to 1st pickoff move

The old fake-to-third, throw-to-first pickoff move now will be considered a balk beginning this season in MLB.

Any other leagues following suit?

Rule change eliminates fake-to-third, throw-to-first pickoff move - MLB - SI.com

 

Yeah....let's hear more

I'd like to hear more on it from the Umpires. It may be the first and only rule in baseball that "limits" where a player can throw the ball.

How are you going to enforce it?

 

Seems obvious to me......

You ask how are they going to enforce it?

Pitcher fakes to third............the umpire calls a balk. What is difficult to that?
Perhaps I do not understand your question.

regards,

 

Here's a link that explains. It's a fake to 3B, then a THROW to 1B.
The fake-to-third, throw-to-first pickoff move is now a balk - CBSSports.com

There are 14 ways to balk....and the MLB owners just added 1 more by not agreeing with the players union. Question is...does HS baseball follow suit.

Let's review Pick-off fundamentals.
- 1B is the only base you MUST throw to. (without stepping off the rubber).
- You can fake to 2B (spinning either way "inside" or "outside").
- You can fake to 3B.
- At the point of a fake, you are off the rubber. have stepped toward that base. And can do anything. (or so I thought).

With that explained... I have a few questions (that can wait). But I want to hear from our resident expert umpires.

 

rule "change"

"It is possible, with runners on first and third, for the pitcher to step toward third and not throw, merely to bluff the runner back to third; then seeing the runner on first start for second, turn and step toward and throw to first base. This is legal. However, if, with runners on first and third, the pitcher, while in contact with the rubber, steps toward third and then immediately and in practically the same motion “wheels” and throws to first base, it is obviously an attempt to deceive the runner at first base, and in such a move it is practically impossible to step directly toward first base before the throw to first base, and such a move shall be called a balk. Of course, if the pitcher steps off the rubber and then makes such a move, it is not a balk."

-from official MLB rulebook rule 8.05C comments section (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2012/Official_Baseball_Rules.pdf)

This rule has been stated in this manner for years. In my estimation the rule may continue to be worded in the same way, but be interpreted more strictly. I also believe that this is very open to interpretation in the umpires judgement as to whether the pitcher "in practically the same motion "wheels" and throws to first base", or "see(s) the runner on first start for second."

I understand the pitcher should not be able to see the runner start for second if he is facing third, so maybe the rule is being re-written

 

Thank you for posting this information!)

 

The "fake to 3rd and throw to 1st" move is still legal in HS during 2013, only MLB has changed it to a balk.

 

The "fake to third and throw to first" move is changing to balk - that might be the way they are trying to make it strict.Umpires need to throw case to law firms, if some confusions occur... LOL.

 

3rd to 1st move will be a balk next year in high school baseball from what I've been told by several umpires. In travel ball, the 3rd to 1st move is a balk.