Stepping toward 1st from stretch - Balk?

[UmpJM]

tibear,

Whether the pitcher does this every time, some of the time, or every once in a while has no bearing on whether or not this is properly ruled a balk.

rinbee,

The picture I have in my mind from your description is that the pitcher is engaging the rubber in set with his feet more or less "in line" with HP, and then, as he comes "set" (i.e. moves his free feet closer to his pivot foot & his hands together in front of his body) he is "opening his stance" such that his free foot is more toward 1B than it originally was.

Many HS age pitchers do this to make it easier to check the R1 without turning their shoulders. If the RHP's toes do not start moving/turning in the direction of 1B, this is not a balk. If they do, it is.

JM