Is misapplication of a balk rule protestable?

[andrewm]

Originally posted by mcrowder
What, exactly, is the rule in question that he is disagreeing with?

That in OBR, which USSSA plays under, a pitcher can pickoff from the windup without stepping off the rubber. He says you must step off first.

I had a lengthy post discussing this a few weeks ago.

Let me describe the move I'm talking about:

Right handed pitcher, from the windup (both feet on the rubber, facing the catcher, glove in front, hand on ball in glove). Runner on first. Pitcher steps directly towards first base with his left foot and throws. Note: pitcher's normal delivery has his free foot stepping back behind the rubber and not to the side. Otherwise, step towards first could be interpreted as the start of the normal delivery to the plate, and therefore a balk.