re: The Balk...Help me understand

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what made it an actual balk?

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[quote]According to Rule 6.02(a) of the Official Baseball Rules, a pitcher must throw a pickoff attempt "directly" to the base. If he doesn't, it's a balk — a rule designed to keep pitchers from deceiving baserunners.

"The pitcher shall be charged with a balk if, while in contact with the rubber, he throws to a fielder who is either in front of or behind first or third base and obviously not making an attempt at retiring the runner at that base," the rule states./quote]