Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim C
Yes, it would be balk for failing to complete the pitch to the plate.
As everyone else noted: when he steps off he becomes an infielder.
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I understand that a pitcher becomes an infielder when he steps off the rubber. But the MLB rules about the pitcher go to great lengths to handle the case of an ambidextrous pitcher. I could cite the exact language but it says something to the effect that the pitcher must indicate to the batter AND THE RUNNER which hand he is going to throw with and he does that by putting the glove on the hand he is not going to throw with. I could see that by that wording there would be room for an umpiring crew to rule a balk on the unusual pick-off move I described. If I were the opposing manager, I would certainly give that argument a try.