Quote:
Originally posted by orioles35
Is it legal under any set of rules, when in the stretch to step off the rubber in front (towards the batter) with the pivot foot and throw to any base? Or does it have to be behind the rubber?
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While in contact with the rubber, all that is needed for a pickoff attempt to be legal is the following:
1. The base to which the ball is thrown
must be occupied by a runner -or- it is a base to which a runner is clearly advancing.
2. The
free foot must gain distance and direction towards the base. The accepted interpretation of "direction" is a 90-degree cone, oriented toward that base, defined by two 45-degree lines.
3. The
move must be continuous, without hesitation or alteration of direction.
If there is complete compliance with the above 3 items, it really doesn't matter where the pivot foot ends up.
The pitcher can not step off
forward of the rubber
then execute the pickoff maneuver. That would violate point #3 above - it would not be continuous since stepping off forward of the rubber is not considered a legal disengagement.
Once a pitcher has stepped off
backwards (a legal disengagement), the pitcher no longer has to comply with any of the above points.
A RHP's move toward 1st base almost
always involves his pivot foot landing somewhere in front of the rubber. That is perfectly legal as long as it goes in front of the rubber as part of a continuous motion ... and there is compliance with the other two points above.
There are jump/spin moves toward 2nd that frequently involve the pivot foot landing in
front of the rubber. Perfectly legal.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN