Rules Question – Two Throws To 1st & Balks

[Ratsbuddy]

It’s my understanding you are allowed two throws to 1stbase per hitter. It’s also my understanding you can throw over a 3rd time but if you do not pick off the runner then it’s a balk. So, here’s a rules question.

Runners at the corners. You throw over a 3rd time and catch the runner at first off the base. He gets in a rundown between 1st and 2nd and the rundown is screwed up and he gets back to 1stbase safely. Is this then a balk? With the runner on 3rd scoring?

r/Esteemed Rat

[Euro Dandy]

Rat, everything I’ve read says an out must be recorded to avoid the balk. So I’d guess your scenario is a balk. Good question, we’ll see.

And to be precise, you aren’t allowed 2 throws if you have already stepped off once. The limit is a combination of 2 throws/step-offs. The limit re-sets during a plate appearance if a runner advances a base.

[1toughdominican]

That is a good question. I can’t even keep up with the pitch clock.

[Euro Dandy]

What if?

Marmol wants to change pitchers, but waited too late to get the reliever up and ready. So he sends Dusty out for a long mound visit to buy some time. Then blue breaks up the party and says let’s get moving, but the reliever still isn’t ready. Marmol plans to intentionally walk the next guy with a runner on 2B, so he leaves the struggling pitcher in who takes four time violations and mixes in a couple of last-second lob pickoff throws to kill more time. After the new fangled “intentional walk,” Marmol strolls out to the mound and the reliever is finally ready to come in.

I bet Manfred didn’t think of that one.

[Author]

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