New OBR pitching rules

[David Emerling]

One of the new changes to the OBR rules basically allows the pitcher, while assuming the wind-up position, to place is free foot anywhere (behind, off to the side, or in front of the rubber.)

I see a potential problem with this. How is the runner (or the umpire) supposed to know the pitcher's intent (pitching from the SET or WINDUP position) when he places his foot on the rubber with his free foot in FRONT of the rubber?

When he brings his hands together is that part of his windup routine -or- is he bringing his hands together to come set? In one case he doesn't have to come to a discernible stop and in the other case, he does.

I foresee set positions morphing into windup positions. When the pitcher doesn't come to a discernible stop and a balk is called, what is to prevent the pitcher from claiming, "I was winding up - I don't have to stop?" And he'd be right!

A pitcher could virtually position himself on the rubber in identical fashions (free foot in FRONT of the rubber) and, from that position, either go into a windup OR come set with neither the runners (nor umpires) having any idea what to expect.

And you couldn't really balk a pitcher for not coming to a discernible stop because that is not a requirement of the windup delivery.

Is he gong to windup or come set?

I can see some potential problems with this as it could easily be used by a crafty pitcher to befuddle the runners. Basically, it's a license to pitch from the "set position" and not pause, by claiming that he was winding up. He could even vary his deliveries, sometimes coming set, and sometimes going into a windup from identical initial positions.

http://mlb.mlb.com/pressbox/download...ges_021607.pdf

David Emerling
Memphis, TN