Pickoff and disengagement limit
The pitcher may disengage from the rubber — a pickoff throw or a step-off — only twice per plate appearance while runners are on. A third disengagement has to produce an out, or it's a balk and the runners advance.
- Two free disengagements per plate appearance. The count resets if a runner advances (for example on a stolen base).
- On a third pickoff throw, the pitcher is fine if the runner is actually tagged out — otherwise it is a balk.
- Stepping off to reset the timer counts as a disengagement.
- Runners know the count too — expect bigger leads once a pitcher has used both.
Pitcher throws over to first twice, then steps off the rubber to reset the timer.
Ruling · That is a third disengagement with no out recorded — a balk, and the runner takes second.
Directly manufactures baserunner movement: a third failed disengagement is a balk and a free base, and depleted disengagements invite stolen bases.
Reference note: one or more section citations on this page are being verified against the current official rulebook edition. The explanation reflects the rule as played; confirm the exact subsection in the official text.