When A's pitcher José Leclerc threw to third baseman Gio Urshela playing off of third base, 3B Umpire Nick Mahrley called a balk, leading Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen to declare, "That's a bad call."
Fact Check: It was the correct call, as an uncovered base is treated differently by baseball's balk rules.
With one out and one on (R3), A's pitcher Leclerc threw to third baseman Baty to try and hold Mets baserunner R3 Tyrone Taylor at third base. Baty was not covering third base at the time and the throw was directed to him, not to the base. Accordingly, 3B Umpire Mahrley ruled a balk for violation of Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(2), and awarded Taylor home, scoring a run, bringing A's manager Mark Kotsay out of the dugout to argue.
OBR 6.02(a)(2) states, "if there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, feints a throw to first or third base and fails to complete the throw."
We then reference the MLB Umpire Manual interpretation of this rule, which states, "The pitcher shall be charged with a balk if, while in contact with the rubber, they throw to a fielder who is either in front of or behind first or third base and obviously not making an attempt at retiring the runner at that base. However, there is no violation if the pitcher throws the ball directly to first or third base in this situation."
Flashback: On August 10, 2008, 1B Umpire Tim Welke called a balk when Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte threw to unsuspecting first baseman Richie Sexson playing in for a bunt attempt, resulting in Angels baserunner Chone Figgins advancing to second base (and R2 Mike Napoli to third).
Thus, when pitcher Leclerc threw to fielder Baty off of third base but not anticipating the throw in an attempt to retire the runner at third base, he violated OBR 6.02(a)(2) by failing to complete a throw directly to third base, instead throwing to a fielder not at the base.
It is important to note that OBR 6.02(a)(2) applies to first and third base, but not second base. Had this play occurred at second base, it would not have been a violation of the balk rule.
Video as follows:
