kirksey05

That's what I was saying Fox, but I am stepping out of it.

Sounds good, I don't think either one of us is going to change the other persons mind.

ART. 4 . . . Balk. If there is a runner or runners, any of the following acts by a pitcher while he is touching the pitcher’s plate is a balk:   b. failing to step with the non-pivot foot directly toward a base (occupied or unoccupied) when throwing or feinting there in an attempt to put out, or drive back a runner; or throwing or feinting to any unoccupied base when it is not an attempt to put out or drive back a runner;   The above is a direct quote from the rule book.  If you step with the non-pivot(front) foot directly toward a base (even unoccupied) when attempting to put out or drive back a runner it is not a balk.  The reason that coaches tell players to step off is because if someone leaves early but doesn't attempt to take the base it is a balk due to the fact there is then no runner to put out of drive back.

You would be in direct contradiction to the rule book specifically 4.b., how would you justify that.

The reason coaches say step off is in case of the runner faking a steal.  If you throw to an unoccupied base when no one is making an attempt to steal then it is a balk.  Please re-read the quoted rule book below if you don't believe me.   failing to step with the non-pivot foot directly toward a base (occupied or unoccupied) when throwing or feinting there in an attempt to put out, or drive back a runner; or throwing or feinting to any unoccupied base when it is not an attempt to put out or drive back a runner;

You can step with your non-pivot (front) foot toward any unoccupied base (2nd or 3rd) as long as you continue on to make the throw to the base, and there is someone attempting to steal it.  I've seen this done both in high school and at college.  Not a balk and clearly stated in 4b.