One from the mound?

[ctblu40]

Originally Posted by mbyron

He made a standard jump step, which is legal and counts as throwing from the rubber.

The way I always think of this is that the pitcher is legally "in contact" unless he steps off as per "8.01 (e) If the pitcher removes his pivot foot from contact with the pitcher’s plate by stepping backward with that foot, he thereby becomes an infielder..."

In other words, this is the way the rules describe how a pitcher disengages. Any other move and he's still in contact.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

The way I always think of this is that the pitcher is legally "in contact" unless he steps off as per "8.01 (e) If the pitcher removes his pivot foot from contact with the pitcher’s plate by stepping backward with that foot, he thereby becomes an infielder..."

In other words, this is the way the rules describe how a pitcher disengages. Any other move and he's still in contact.

But then what's your call if he steps off with the free foot and throws it out of play? (OBR, naturally.) Was he in contact of not?

[sargee7]

Originally Posted by mbyron

But then what's your call if he steps off with the free foot and throws it out of play? (OBR, naturally.) Was he in contact of not?

If he hasn't stepped off with the pivot foot then he hasn't stepped off.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

The way I always think of this is that the pitcher is legally "in contact" unless he steps off as per "8.01 (e) If the pitcher removes his pivot foot from contact with the pitcher’s plate by stepping backward with that foot, he thereby becomes an infielder..."

In other words, this is the way the rules describe how a pitcher disengages. Any other move and he's still in contact.

Exactly. I find it easier to explain to coaches by using the term "disengage" instead of "stepping off". One can step off a number of ways, but there is only one way to "disengage".

[greymule]

So the fake to 3B and quick turn and throw to 1B is considered "on" (even if the foot is off) because the pitcher did not technically "disengage" by stepping off backward. (Or am I wrong?)

I'm surprised that in my 30+ years of umpiring, this never came up. I guess nobody did this move and then threw the ball into DBT.

I haven't done Fed in a long time. Is their rule different?

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by greymule

So the fake to 3B and quick turn and throw to 1B is considered "on" (even if the foot is off) because the pitcher did not technically "disengage" by stepping off backward. (Or am I wrong?)

I'm surprised that in my 30+ years of umpiring, this never came up. I guess nobody did this move and then threw the ball into DBT.

I haven't done Fed in a long time. Is their rule different?

No, we didn't explain this appropriately. I apologize.

My reference to disengage vs stepping off was to discussions with coaches about moves directly to first.

In OBR the 3-1 move you are referring to must include separation from the rubber. This is why the pitcher may, and most often does, fake the throw to first.