If the third-to-first pickoff move becomes illegal, what is the ruling?

• A. Balk is declared and the out stands.
• B. Ball is dead and no call.
• C. The umpire awards additional pitches.
• D. The runner on third advances.

Answer: (A)

An illegal pickoff move to third-to-first is treated as a balk in NFHS baseball. When the umpire rules a balk, the ball becomes dead and no pitch is delivered. Any outs that were recorded on the play still stand, and runners do not automatically advance as a result of the balk. Because the play is halted by the balk, the existing out remains, which matches the ruling that a balk is declared and the out stands. The other options don’t fit because a balk does not produce a live pitch, does not automatically award bases, and does not occur as a free “no call.”