[Kaliix]

I think your explanation of the intent of the FED Rule is a good one. I think FED means it as you explain it.

What FED should do is rewrite the rule describing the set position (rule 6 art 3) as it is poorly written, contradictory, and does a poor job of defining and explaining what the set position is versus what is considered "the stretch" before coming to the set position. In this instance, the OBR are more clearly written.

Originally posted by Jim Mills

From the FED website: "Rule 6-1-1 was revised to specify when a baseball pitcher can turn his shoulders toward base runners while on the mound. It is now legal for a pitcher to turn his shoulders to check a runner if he is in the set position and in contact with the pitcher’s plate. However, if the pitcher turns his shoulders in the windup position to check a runner, it is a balk. Turning the shoulders after bringing the hands together during or after the stretch is also a balk."

Now, I'm not an interpreter for any national, state or local association, and I haven't written any books, but here's what I think the FED means:

When the pitcher has his pivot foot on or touching the rubber and his non-pivot foot in front of the rubber, with his hands apart and the pitching hand at his side or behind his back, and is taking or is about to take his signs from the catcher, he may legally turn his shoulders to look at the runner. Now, that is not the set position as most of us commonly understand it (i.e., after the stop with hands together), but that is kind of how I think the FED means it when they refer to the set here. After the pitcher joins his hands, either before or after the stop (i.e., "during or after the stretch"), he can't.

The distinction between "bringing the hands together" and "once the pitcher pauses" is an important one. I see pitchers who join their hands above their heads, then, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly, lower them to their chest and stop there. If "once the pitcher pauses" is the operative phrase, a final shoulder turn while lowering the hands to a stop is legal. If "bringing the hands together" is the operative phrase, as the press release seems to indicate, that final shoulder turn is a balk.

If history is any guide, we are as likely as not to get official interpretations that are at odds with the language of the rule.