Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert E. Harrison
As F1 is stepping off the rubber (Pivot foot is no longer in contact with the rubber but has not touched the ground) the ball pops out, then the pivot foot hits the ground and then the ball hits the ground (does not cross Foul line)
Is this a balk or as long as his pivot foot hits the ground before the ball everything is OK?
I saw this happen on a bluff and runner on first. Fed rules.
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By rule, his pivot foot should touch the ground before his hands separate, or else it's a balk (starting and stopping).
If the pitcher has legally disengaged, then he can legally throw the ball (or drop it or kick it -- they all count as a "throw") anywhere in live ball territory.