Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 6/19/2008

Question
While umping a junior league I was faced with the following situation...  Runners on 1st and 3rd...  Pitcher is in the stretch position, steps off the rubber completely with the pivot foot and fakes a throw to 1st base.  One coach says balk the other says no.  I was under the assumption (going on my supposed knowledge of mlb rules) that once off the pithcers rubber pitcher can fake throw to first.  I ended up siding with coach who said balk and advanced runners.  IS THIS A BALK??

Answer
Jeff,

Once the pitcher has broken contact with the rubber, they can fake a throw to first (or anywhere else for that matter).

As long as they did the other stuff right (broke contact before beginning pitching motion toward home, etc.) then this is a legal play.

Hope this helps!

Brian