I've been pondering this situation for a few weeks and wonder what you all think of this windup position.
I was doing a men's league game (modified FED rules) and the starting pitcher steps up for throw the first pitch of the game, places his pivot foot's heal against the front edge of the rubber, and places his non-pivot foot about 8-12" in front of the rubber (see diagram). He they came set and delivered his pitch.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdmara/2533214737/
I believe it's an illegal position since "The pitcher's non-pivot foot shall be in any position on or behind a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher's plate." Since his non-pivot foot is entirely (not even close to being near) the front edge of the rubber that would be an illegal position, correct?
(FYI, this league is extremely relaxed (most of the time) and they don't worry about non-advantageous things, such as this. Therefore, I didn't worry about it.)
As I know this pitcher happen to be a college stud and played a bit of MiLB, I thought I would look up the MLB rules on foot positioning in the windup. (OBR 8.01a) "The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate and the other foot free." I'm reading that as a legal position for MLB but not FED.
Seems odd. Any thoughts?
-Josh