It is never legal for a pitcher to throw or feint to an unoccupied base.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It depends on the situation.
• D. Not applicable.

Answer: (B)

A pitcher is allowed to use pickoff moves to bases, not just to bases that have a runner. Throwing to or feinting toward an unoccupied base is a legal tactic used to keep baserunners close and to keep them honest about their lead. Because this can be done even when no runner is on base, the statement that it is never legal is not correct. In practice you’ll see pitchers attempt pickoffs to first, second, or third even if the base is empty, as part of the normal defense. So the best answer is that the statement is false.