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This may be what is sometimes referred to as a "slow move". It's where a right-hander makes his move to first by moving rather slowly, sometimes masking the pickoff move because it lacks the "snappiness" that the runner often keys on.
The move can be executed quite legally as long as the free foot makes continual (although slow) movement toward first. However, it does not involve lifting the leg straight up because that, invariably, causes the free foot to move toward 3rd - thus making the move a balk.
The "slow move" is often improperly called a balk by an unsuspecting umpire for no other reason than he doesn't recognize the move. In other words, the slow nature of the move looks unusual although there is no element of it that is illegal. If the pitcher did the exact same maneuver at a more rapid pace, it would look more normal and not be ruled a balk.
There's no rule that requires a right-hander to make a snappy move toward first. If he chooses to do it in slow motion - as long as his free foot immediately starts moving toward 1st - it should be legal.
As a pitching coach, I had taught my right-handers this move to include in their repertoire of moves but eventually had to abandon it since too many umpires were calling it a balk. The level of umpiring was too low to even argue the point. Oddly, the most common explanation from the umpires was, "Your pitcher didn't break contact with the rubber prior to making the move."
That is an element of the "slow move" - but it's not illegal. The pitcher keeps contact with the rubber while his free foot starts its movement toward 1st. Contact with the rubber is eventually broken, but it happens very late in the move. This move catches those runners who key on rapid movements by the pitcher, or, key on the pitcher's right foot. There is a misconception out there that a right-hander will always lift his right foot as a prelude to a pickoff attempt. That is generally true with rapid moves - because the pitcher will tear his ankle up. But with a much slower move - he can safely remove his pivot foot from the hole in front of the rubber AFTER he has mostly completed his step with his free foot.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN
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