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Old Sat Aug 16, 2003, 08:05pm
Warren Willson Warren Willson is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 561
Quote:
Originally posted by chris s
Ok guys, who has seen a step and throw from the wind up? I would love to see how this is done. As I said before, it's gonna look so bad even the rookest are gonna nail it.....MOST F1's are gonna step off ,then try to hose
I've seen it maybe once or twice in my career, Chris. Most pitchers don't even bother to try and pick off from the windup, though. I don't think it's because they believe they can't - we don't have FED down here, so there is no confusion on that count, and our LL equivalent plays by OBR with a few safety variations. The point is that it's just too risky most of the time.

Most baseballers, even pitchers , have learned that going into the windup position concedes that you likely won't attempt a pick-off with a runner waiting to score from 3rd if you stuff it up. The exception is the wise guy who thinks he's invented a new wrinkle and steps off while simulating the start of his pitching motion. BALK!!! The response of most catchers I know would be to take that guy aside and ask him "who told you that you could think?"

Nevertheless, it IS legal and it IS possible to pick off to ANY base from the windup so long as the arms and leg don't get raised together. Hands fixed in front of the body until the pivot and direction of step is clear, then throw or feint to the base. Raising the arms while raising the leg IS the start of the pitching motion when facing the batter in the windup position, regardless of the pitcher's intent.

For that reason, thumpferee, when on bases I watch the hands and let my peripheral vision detect movement of the feet. If I see the hands begin to move upward and the feet start to move at all then I'd better see a delivery to the batter or I've got a "Balk!"

Cheers
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