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Teare, First of all, yes, the Set Position does in fact follow the Stretch position. I think Jake80 just got it backwards in explaining it. That is, you're right, he said the pitcher engaged the rubber in his "Set Position" then asks the question "Before he goes into his stretch." So, to get the sequence proper here, it goes like this:
1) Pitcher steps onto the rubber and as such is in his "Stretch" position.
2) He must now come "Set" before deliving his pitch.
Okay, we got that. Now the facts: The pitcher MUST come to the "Set" postion before he can deliever a pitch. He DOES NOT have to come "Set" in order to throw to any base. And the ONLY base he MUST throw to while in contact of the rubber ("Sretch or Set") is 1st base. Therefore, to answer Jake's orginal question, yes, the pitcher---while in the "stretch" ---or while in the process of "moving into" his "Set" position---may throw over to 1st. That is, the pitcher DOES NOT have to come "Set" before doing so.
And, teeare, the answer to your question---"Is this the Windup Position?" The answer is, no, it isn't. The Windup Position requires the pitcher to have both feet on the rubber and facing the batter directly---OR he must have his pivot foot on the rubber with his other foot behind the rubber (and, technically, NOT off to the side, though umpires have been a bit lenient about that). In either case, in the Windup Position, the pitcher must be facing the batter directly. And once he starts his motion---any motion at all, which includes simply raising his arms---he MUST deliver the pitch. That is, he can't raise his arms in the Windup Position, then step back off the rubber. This is most definitely a balk. This has been tried by many pitchers to deceive a runner. And they get upset when they are called for a balk. They're reasoning is that "just moving" their arms does not constitute a movement that implies they are going to pitch. That's baloney. (The only exception to "movement" here is when the pitcher moves his pitching arm into the glove to grip the ball. That is, he may have had his pitching arm dangling at his side. Therefore, he is allowed to reach into his glove to the glove withouth this being considered a "pitching motion").
Ultimately, that's why there is a "Stretch" position, because it allows the pitcher a bit more flexibility. That is, if a pitcher is in the stretch and starts his motion to come "set," he can still step back off the rubber, or turn and fire to a base---while moving, so long as he does so BEFORE he actually comes "Set."
(Isn't this fun!?---grin)
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