Quote:
Originally Posted by JJ
I saw a move similar to this in a college game many years ago. The RHP essentially stepped backwards toward first with his non-pivot foot, and then in a continuous motion turned and threw to first.
As Bob said, it looked goofy but was not deemed illegal. It was also a drawn out pickoff and easily readable by not only the umpires but the baserunners as well.
If you decide his move is toward first base, it's OK. If you decide he picks up his non-pivot foot in the same manner he does when he pitches the ball, balk him.
JJ
|
I'm assuming he's using the stretch. I would have to see how that free foot comes off the ground. Most pitchers begin to turn their shoulders toward first base before their free foot moves toward first or before they turn on their pivot foot. In general, if their shoulders stay pointed toward the plate and they begin to raise only that free foot off the ground before moving their shoulders I'd have to say it's a balk because it looks like their normal delivery. If they want to make the pick without first turning their shoulders they need to jump off with both feet simultaneously in a jump turn to avoid a balk call. IMO.