Quote:
Originally posted by rmstone
Well the biggest misinterpretation of that rule is that the pitch designates the ball being PUT IN PLAY... which isn't true.
The ball is put in play when the umpire says "Play" (or otherwise signals a live ball) so a firstbaseman can stand in fair until the umpire makes the play live and then straddle the bag... he doesn't have to stay fair until the pitch...
If a pitcher can make a pick-off to first then the ball must be IN PLAY or he couldn't make a PLAY... thus if he can pick off then a firstbasemen is allowed to be in foul territory...
At least thats what I've heard... am I right?
ex. third baseman stands in normal position, umpire says play and points to the pitcher, ball is now live... prior to the pitch the third baseman can now go stand in foul territory and remain there throughout the pitch... correct?
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No.
FED: One foot in foul is legal; two feet isn't (illegal pitch if it gets that far, but preventive umpiring should be applied).
OBR: One foot in foul is not legal, but it's not enforced until someone complains. Two feet isn't legal -- the umpire should get the player into fair territory, but it's not an illegal pitch, either.