Trick pickoff move now a balk in MLB (Yahoo Sports)
Under a rule change imposed by Major League Baseball, pitchers will no longer be allowed to fake a pickoff to third base and throw to first as a way to dupe a runner on first base into breaking for second. Next season, that move would be a balk.
I totally approve this new rule. I’ve always hated when a pitcher fakes to third then fakes to first (since the runner on first never goes). I don’t think I’ve seen this “pickoff” ever work, and it’s just another thing to slow down the game.
Yes, baseball season must be approaching…
