Windup

[mbyron]

Ozzy got the intent of the rule right: prevent the quick pitch. F1 must separate hands before re-engaging rubber.

As for deception: he's in the wind-up, so whom would he deceive?

Even if you've got R3, if F1 steps off R3 should be going back to the base anyway. If R3 doesn't know the difference between his free foot and his pivot foot moving first, that's not my problem. Remember: deception is not illegal, only illegal deception is illegal.

[bossman72]

Yes, ditto what oz and mb said. Pitchers always try and do the "fake windup" by rocking back with the pivot foot trying to deceive the runner on third (with no arm motion, of course).

The hands must be apart when re-engaging the rubber- this is what you should be enforcing.

[orioles35]

Another view on this...pitcher appears to be ready to wind-up, steps off with the correct foot, but while doing so keeps both hands together and brings them over his head, mimicing his wind-up, then makes the pickoff attempt. I have a balk with this one.

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by orioles35

Another view on this...pitcher appears to be ready to wind-up, steps off with the correct foot, but while doing so keeps both hands together and brings them over his head, mimicing his wind-up, then makes the pickoff attempt. I have a balk with this one.

I had the exact same play last weekend. I balked him as well. Too many umpires are letting HS and middle school players get away with this move because they step off with the pivot foot.