Set Position

[UmpJM]

Jim,

I have no idea what the actual rationale behind this rule is.

The two "reasons" I have heard suggested (both of which strike me as ludicrous) are:

1. To prevent the pitcher from surreptitiously applying a "foreign substance" to the ball (presumably from his mouth) while hiding the action with his glove.

and

2. So the pitcher cannot prevent the batter from seeing his eyes.

JM