Stepping toward 1st from stretch - Balk?

[justanotherblue]

I'm not sure I totally understand what your saying, however, if he is taking two distinct steps when coming set, it's a balk. That is, if he is taking his sign, then with his non-pivot foot, he lifts it off the ground and then touches the ground with it to get an angle toward 1B, then again lifting his foot and placing it closer to his pivot foot in contact with the rubber, then yes, it's a balk. Pitcher must come set in one continous motion. NFHS 6-3penalty, OBR 8.01b NCAA 9-1b

[FTVMartin]

Not a balk. This is his motion for coming set. As long as that is his only motion to come set. His next move has to be 1) deliver a pitch, 2) step and throw to an occupied base, 3) step off.

Originally Posted by FTVMartin

Not a balk. This is his motion for coming set. As long as that is his only motion to come set. His next move has to be 1) deliver a pitch, 2) step and throw to an occupied base, 3) step off.

I agree with justanotherblue - it seems that F1 is making two separate motions, and not in a continuous fashion. It's immaterial if that is his natural stretch. If the motion is non-continuous, regardless of intent, it's a balk. If continuous, no balk. Your post describes something that on the surface appears to be non-continuous