Question: In high school baseball only, runner on first base; pitcher attempts to make a pickoff throw to first baseman who is not near the bag. Legal play or balk?
Answer: Umpire must judge if defense was in the vicinity of base close enough to make play on runner. If within proximity to make play, legal action; if no play possible in area, balk called. (BB – Rule 6, Sec. 2, Art. 4 (casebk.))
Question: In baseball and softball, runner on first base; catcher attempts to pickoff runner returning to base. Thrown ball hits runner in back and goes into dead ball area. How many bases are awarded? Award from time of pitch, time of throw, or from time ball became dead?
Answer: Two bases awarded from time of overthrow; hence, runner gains second and third base because he/she had possession of first base. All awarded bases must be touched in order. (BB – Rule 8, Sec. 3, Art. 3(c-1); SB – Rule 8-4-3(f); 2 bases from time of release)