ball on batter?

Question
Runners on 1st and 3rd, no outs. Coach on defense calls out certain play to defense steal of second.  Pitch comes in to catcher who then throws to shortstop covering second.  Runner on 1st has not broken to second or even faked and runner on third holds as well.  Did catcher throw to unoccupied base and should a ball be called on batter?

Answer
Hello Stu,

I think that would be at the discretion of the umpire.  Technically, you are correct.  The catcher must immediately return the ball directly back to the pitcher except after a strike out, put out by the catcher, or making a play on a base runner.  The catcher could argue that she thought the runner was stealing.  I'd be shocked if this scenario resulted in a ball being rewarded, but you are correct, a ball being awarded to the batter is the correct ruling here.