Pitching Stepping and rules

[J_Cook12]

I'm trying to get clarification on pitchers pitching from the Wind-up and Stretch positions and where they can and cannot step.

First from the wind-up( with no one on base); Can the pitcher with his free foot when starting his motion take a step to either first or third or must the motion be forward or backwards?

Pitching from the wind-up with runners on base: Same question

From the Stretch; Really the same question.

I saw in the rule book that it states that a pitcher under no circumstance can take his free foot and step towards first or third and that it must be a forwarded or backward movement. I can not get a straight ruling from the league and I'm seeking guidance.

See rule 8.01a

(a) He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot.

The pitcher may have one foot, not the pivot foot, off the rubber and any distance he may desire back of a line which is an extension to the back edge of the pitcher's plate, but not at either side of the pitcher's plate. With his "free" foot the pitcher may take one step backward and one step forward, but under no circumstances, to either side, that is to either the first base or third base side of the pitcher's rubber.

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by J_Cook12
I'm trying to get clarification on pitchers pitching from the Wind-up and Stretch positions and where they can and cannot step.

First from the wind-up( with no one on base); Can the pitcher with his free foot when starting his motion take a step to either first or third or must the motion be forward or backwards?

Pitching from the wind-up with runners on base: Same question

From the Stretch; Really the same question.

I saw in the rule book that it states that a pitcher under no circumstance can take his free foot and step towards first or third and that it must be a forwarded or backward movement. I can not get a straight ruling from the league and I'm seeking guidance.

See rule 8.01a

(a) He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot.

The pitcher may have one foot, not the pivot foot, off the rubber and any distance he may desire back of a line which is an extension to the back edge of the pitcher's plate, but not at either side of the pitcher's plate. With his "free" foot the pitcher may take one step backward and one step forward, but under no circumstances, to either side, that is to either the first base or third base side of the pitcher's rubber.

Just one of many instances where the rule as written doesn't match the rule as commonly enforced. FED added "to the side" to the rule this year.

If the step is part of the wind-up (look at the whole picture, not just the feet), then it's legal to step to the side and pitch. If the step is part of a move to a base (ditto), then it's illegal to turn it into a pitch.