Need clarification on an "EXCEPTION" written in the balk rule

[Bamabuzzard]

What situation or situations fall under this underlined exception?

8.05 If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when--

(d) The pitcher, while touching his plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play;

 

[B1GTide]

What situation or situations fall under this underlined exception?

8.05 If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when--

(d) The pitcher, while touching his plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play;

Maybe faking the throw over is okay if he then throws to a different base?

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Maybe faking the throw over is okay if he then throws to a different base?

The initial rule is a pitcher CANNOT throw to an unoccupied base when his foot is on the rubber with a runner or runners on base.

So in my interpretation the pitcher (with a baserunner(s) ) cannot make a "pickoff move" or "fake a throw" toward an unoccupied base. However, there's a circumstance or circumstances called "for the purpose of making a play" that does allow it. I'm trying to get an example or examples of these exceptions.

 

[TideHead]

Runner at first breaks for second before the pitcher starts his pitching motion. Pitcher sees it, wheels around, and throws to second, which is an unoccupied base. They then get the runner in a run down. He was allowed to throw to an unoccupied base because he is making a play.

 

[crimsonkelly]

The initial rule is a pitcher CANNOT throw to an unoccupied base when his foot is on the rubber with a runner or runners on base.

So in my interpretation the pitcher (with a baserunner(s) ) cannot make a "pickoff move" or "fake a throw" toward an unoccupied base. However, there's a circumstance or circumstances called "for the purpose of making a play" that does allow it. I'm trying to get an example or examples of these exceptions.

I am 43. I have been around baseball my entire life. I have been a middle school coach for 17 years. This one is puzzling but here is an example (I think anyway):
Runners on first and third. Pitcher, in the stretch, has the base runner at first leave early (before he comes set or is coming set). The pitcher does a pick off to second base. Second base, isn’t occupied by either runner, but he is throwing to it (making a play as it says).
As far as faking the throw goes, take the same scenario and have the pitcher fake the throw, since it isn’t a balk to fake it to second. He could then possibly go after the base runner on third.

Hope these help. Baseball has so many possible plays that can happen in it and many of the rules are left to interpretation, unfortunately.

 

[crimsonkelly]

Looks like you got 2 answers within a couple minutes of each other!

 

[bamajake]

Looks like you got 2 answers within a couple minutes of each other!

And both answers are absolutely correct.