[Paul L]

What is the status of a pitcher in the preliminary set position, meaning with the pivot foot in contact with the rubber, hand on his side, looking at the catcher, but before bringing his hands together and holding the ball in both hands in front of his body and coming to a complete stop?

Sitch 1: R3, pitcher in preliminary set position. R3 takes off for home on steal attempt. Pitcher looks up and, without first stepping off backward, raises the ball above his head and takes a few steps toward home plate, then tosses ball to catcher who applies the tag for an apparent put-out. Balk? Must pitcher first step off the rubber backwards? Is raising the ball above his head and taking a step towards home a motion naturally associated with his pitch? Might we have catcher's interference?

Sitch 2: R1, pitcher in preliminary set position. Pitcher moves his pivot foot forward (towards home) off the rubber, then feints to first. Balk?

Sitch 3: R1, pitcher in preliminary set position. As pitcher begins to bring his hands together, he stops and puts them down at his sides again. What call? What if no runner?