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Hmmm,
As I have mentioned over the years:
FED not only has a rules book, a case book, and an umpire manual they also have the "Spring Newsletter".
The letter, published each spring for over 35 years, is a vehicle for FED to make interps that fail to reach the rule book or a play in the case book.
For years the FED Rule Book was called "Brad's Book." This reference was to Brad Rumble that held the position of "Editor" of the books. Brad placed his personal ideas into print in not only the rule book but also the "official" newsletters.
The "start/stop" wind-up ruling was a "Brad" ruling that was described first in the newsletter. The ruling has been in effect for at least 12 years. The ruling is based on the fact that the wind-up must be a "Continuous Movement".
A second, and equally troubling, decision is that if a pitcher selects to pitch from the set position EVEN WHEN NO RUNNER IS ON BASE that pitcher must still perform a "discernable" stop during the stretch or it is an illegal pitch.
And, in closing, FEDERATION has some peculiar rulings that have been influenced over the years by some odd sources.
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