Does whether or not a runner has taken off affect the application of rule Rule 6.02(a)(2)? For instance, if Mason Miller reacts to Call taking off from 1st by turning and running towards 1st (instead of throwing immediately), is that considered a "feint" of a throw?
6.02(a)(2): If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first or third base and fails to complete the throw
I have someone that is arguing that, in this instance, Mason Miller HAD to throw to 1st because he made a spin/quick move towards the bag and was still in contact with the rubber. They say this in response to a question of why he didn't just step off and move towards the runner when he saw he was caught.
My contention is that he is not required to throw BECAUSE his move is in response to Alex Call's move towards 2nd, thereby making it a "step off" and not a "feint of a throw" because Miller never began his pitching motion.
Question 1: Is my contention at all correct? Or, if Mason Miller did not throw to 1st after his spin (and after the runner had already taken off), would he have been in violation of this balk rule?
Question 2: Is it possible for a pitcher to balk if his actions are a response to the baserunner advancing without ever having entered his pitching motion?