In our (Pony) league, the umpires allow right handed pitchers to "fake" to first base from the stretch position. Their rationale is that the pitcher has removed his foot from the rubber as he turns to first, and that he is therefore no longer in contact with the rubber. Thus, he can "fake". I guess I'm wondering why if this IS actually true, in 40 years of watching baseball I've never seen a major leaguer "fake" a first base pickoff. Is a righty's pickoff to first considered a "jump turn" and therefore to be considered as actually being in contact with the rubber for the purpose of the pickoff/balk rule?
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Wed Jun 23, 2004, 10:50pm
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