Balk Interpretation

Question
I need your input on one of those "was it a balk or not" questions that always seem to pop up. The situation was runner at first. Pitcher threw over on a pick off attempt directly to the first baseman who was about 15 feet from first base and not holding the runner on. I thought this was a balk since the pitcher did not really throw to a base. I am not sure if this exists in the rule book. No balk was called.

Answer
Neil,

It depends on what the pitcher did.  If they disengaged from the rubber and then threw, no balk.  If they threw toward the base, it would be umpire's judgement.  If the ump felt like the pitcher didn't throw to the base, then it should have been a balk.

Hope this helps!

Brian