Pitching

[sm_bbcoach]

Ok , I am learning the rules of baseball.

Pitcher comes set tot he plate. Looks over his shoulder, then turns (past the 45 degree mark) and throws to 1B without first stepping his foot off the pitvhing rubber.

IS this a balk? I have heard it is, but read that the pitcher does NOT need to step off the rubber.

Thanks!

[drumbum565]

in Fediration and im preaty shure in everything else its not if you are talking about fediration (high school play) i whould suggest getting the official rule book it states everything

[drumbum565]

oops i for got to give you my answer lol it is not a balk

[Thaal]

The pitcher is not required to step off with the pivot foot, however if the pitcher does not step off the rubber he must step with the free foot ahead of the throw.

If in your situation the pitcher did not step with either foot - Balk

If pitcher steps with free foot towards 1B before the throw - no balk

Also it is worth noting that the pitcher must complete the throw if he has not stepped off with the pivot foot

8.05 A Balk
(c) The pitcher, while touching the pitcher’s plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base;
Requires the pitcher, while touching the pitcher’s plate, to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base. If the pitcher turns or spins off the free foot without actually stepping or if the pitcher turns the body and throws before stepping, it is a balk.
A pitcher is to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base but does not require the pitcher to throw (except to first base only) because of the step. It is possible with runners on first and third, for the pitcher to step toward third and not throw, merely to bluff the runner back to third; then seeing the runner on first start for second, turn and step toward and throw to first base. This is legal. However, if, with runners on first and third, the pitcher, while in contact with the rubber, steps toward third and then immediately and in practically the same motion “wheels” and throws to first base, it is obviously an attempt to deceive the runner at first base, and in such a move it is practically impossible to step directly toward first base before the throw to first base, and such a move shall be called a balk. Of course if the pitcher steps off the rubber and then makes such a move, it is not a balk.