[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Although I agree that this might be ignored in MLB, I think it's an illegal pitch or balk under OBR, too. I don't think I'd allow it in amateur ball.

8.01(a): "... He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot."

I've seen guys rock without stepping, and that's legal. But as described in the OP, I've got a balk here.

That's the way I saw it. I even told my wife that I could give a list of MLB pitchers that "get away with it" but this kid isn't in the Majors yet.