A pitcher on my kids team (8th grade)while in the stretch raises his leg and holds it and looks back at the runner at second then turns and throws the pitch. Is this legal? The other teams coach complained that he could not hold his leg that he had to make a continuous move to the plate. The umpire was fairly new and didn't know the rule.

6-1-2 says ....after he starts his movement to pitch, he must continue the motion without interruption or alteration.

6-2-4d balk when ...failing to pitch to the batter in a continuous motion immediately after any movment of any part of the body such as he habitually uses in his delivery

If you deem that he stopped his motion, then we have a balk. Now since you are taking about his non-pivot leg, sometimes it is difficult whether the leg stops are is moving very slowly. Good luck

BALK!

BALK
 

Stopping is not "continuous motion immediately."