Quote:
Originally posted by Mel Hawkins
If a right-handed pitcher comes set in the stretch position with his right foot on the pitching rubber, is it a balk if, in one quick motion, he steps back off the rubber with his right foot and then pivots to first base as if to throw but does not release the ball?
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Technically F1 is supposed to have his pivot foot touch before splitting of his hands for his throw.
In reality, nobody picks that booger.
Using the concept of advantage/disadvantage, when the pitcher's pivot foot moves backward it becomes quite obvious that he's not going to pitch. The runners should be pretty well aware to watch out at that point.
NOW, what you do want to watch for in that move is to be certain that the pitcher does not split his hands before moving his pivot foot backward.
THAT IS A BALK.............
The split of the hands is commitment to pitch if his foot has not committed him otherwise, and a wise runner who knows how to steal will be off for the races at the split of the handsif F1's feet have not committed him to a base. If you allow F1 to go anywhere other than home plate if his foot is not committed
but after splitting his hands, then you've given F1 a significant advantage.
Just my opinion,
Freix