Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 6/4/2005

Question
I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE TO STEP OFF THE RUBBER TO TRY TO PICK OFF THE BASERUNNER ON FIRST,BUT CAN YOU STEP OFF THE RUBBER AND FAKE A THROW TO FIRST BASE?I ASSUME YOU CAN ALSO NEVER FAKE OR THROW TO AN UNOCCUPIED BASE OR IT'S A BALK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
                                   GARY

Answer
Gary,

If you break contact with the rubber, you can do pretty much anything you want.  As long as you break contact before doing anything else.

Faking a throw or throwing to an unoccupied base while in contact with the rubber is a balk.

Hope this helps!

Brian