Quote:
Originally Posted by teccan9nja
All of it looks like a balk to me. From lifting his foot and putting it back down, to his shoulder motion. It looks like a distraction to me and like it would be to the batter. Do you know the pitcher I'm talking about?
|
I don't know what pitcher you're talking about. But many MLB pitchers have goofy stuff they do during the stretch — with their feet, body, head, hands — prior to coming set.
The balk rules say nothing about what F1 may or may not do during the stretch (the motion between taking the sign and coming set), other than allowing virtually anything. He must (1) come set, (2) just once, and (3) pitch without interruption. As long as he does that any motion is permitted.
Once he comes set, he must pitch, step and throw to a base, or disengage. But presumably that's not what you're talking about. The goofy stuff during the stretch is designed to disconcert the batter and runner, keep them off balance, and disturb their sense of the pitcher's rhythm. But distraction per se is not illegal.