[thumpferee]

Bob, by lifting the foot to throw to a base, isn't that a

"natural movement associated with the delivery of the ball to the batter commits the pitcher to pitch without interruption or alteration. The pitcher shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in the actual delivery of the ball to the batter".

Why ever pitch from the stretch then? There seems to be no restrictions on the pitcher from the stretch or wind-up with runners on base.

When I was coming up, pitching from the wind-up committed you to pitch to the batter, unless of course you stepped off rubber and went into the stretch.

I'm curious why I never see the Pro's take advantage of this.

ex: R1 on third, pitcher in wind-up position, lift leg as though to pitch to batter, throw to third to pick off runner. hmmmmmm