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bzydadof2,
The move you describe is perfectly legal if done correctly. While it is certainly possible for a RHP to "balk" in attempting this move, it is not terribly difficult to do it properly.
The reason you can not find a rule prohibiting it is that there isn't one! While a "jump spin" move (as well as a "jab step") are considered legal moves and "from the rubber", there is no requirement that a RHP use either one in making a legal pick-off throw to 1B "from the rubber".
I agree with the assertion that "The only way a right-handed pitcher can attempt a pick-off @ 1b without disengaging his pivot foot, is to move his non-pivot foot directly toward first base." But the assertion that this is "almost an impossibility" or even moderately difficult for that matter, is utter nonsense.
What do the rules say? (from OBR)
"8.01 ...(b) The Set Position. Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when he stands facing the batter with his entire pivot foot on, or in front of, and in contact with, and not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and his other foot in front of the pitcher's plate, holding the ball in both hands in front of his body and coming to a complete stop. From such Set Position he may deliver the ball to the batter, throw to a base or step backward off the pitcher's plate with his pivot foot.
and
"8.01...(c) At any time during the pitcher's preliminary movements and until his natural pitching motion commits him to the pitch, he may throw to any base provided he steps directly toward such base before making the throw. The pitcher shall step "ahead of the throw." A snap throw followed by the step directly toward the base is a balk."
If this were illegal (which it's not), there would be a proscription defined in Rule 8.05. No such proscription is defined in Rule 8.05.
The assertion that:
"Once the RH pitcher lifts the non-pivot foot even a milimeter [whatever the hell that is], he must deliver the pitch."
is patently absurd. If it were true, no pitcher would ever be able to throw a pick-off to any base without first legally disengaging. This is clearly not the case.
JM
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