Right hand Pitcher in the stretch comes to a set position with foot on the rubber. Proceeds to step Backwards with foot directly to first base, Right foot still on rubber and throws to first after step. Is this a balk ?

I keep hearing that PBUC has issued a ruling on this; but, have yet to see anything in writing!

Thanks...

It sounds legal to me, if his TOE
is pointing to 1B. (Stepping "backwards"
puts a vision of his heel toward 1B).

Legal pitching delivery from Set Position
is described in 8.01(b). 8.01(c) clarifies
proper way to throw to a base (step
directly toward base before making throw).
OBR

I don't know about a PBUC ruling.

Rog - I'm not yanking your chain.

Marty - you're wrong.

Here is a post Carl Childress posted on eTeamz 12/27/01

<b>Here are three rulings I obtained from Mike Fitzpatrick. All concern discussions we had here on eTeamz. For those keeping records, I've include the date I received the ruling.

1. Is it legal for the pitcher to step toward first with his heel first?

<i>As long as the foot gains ground toward first, the move is legal. (12/26)</i>

2. R2 scores the winning run but misses the plate. A coach grabs him by the arm and drags him back to touch the plate. Legal?

<i>In spite of OBR 7.09i, the runner is out. The ball remains alive. (11/8)</i>

3. Two strikes. The batter squares to bunt. The plate umpire judges he draws the bat back, but the pitch hits the bat and goes foul. He yells: "Foul ball!" If the defense appeals: (a) Must the UIC consult a field umpire? (b) Should the UIC consult a field umpire?

<i>In (a), no. In (b), it's entirely up to the plate umpire. (11/8)</i></b>


You can read it yourself at:


http://www.eteamz.com/baseball/board....cfm?id=384130

Rich:

My bad. The heel step is OK as long as
there is distance (lift and place down in
a different spot, heel does
not land on a portion of the foot's
original position) AND direction
(free foot toward and nearer to the pickoff base).

Thanks for the correction.

I didn't think you were Rich, guess I just flat out missed those posts by Carl - my bad... Thanks!!!

Must have been during one of those times when I had given up on using that site for a few days - ya, that's it.....

<b>"1. Is it legal for the pitcher to step toward first with his heel first?

As long as the foot gains ground toward first, the move is legal. (12/26) "</b>

This provides additional incentive to stop the sloppy wind-up many youngsters use, stepping directly towards first, heel first, instead of in front of, or behind, the rubber.

GB

YEs, except that, in most cases, the wind-up move is accompanied by additional movements of the hands / arms that indicate it's a pitch. So, despite the (legal) foot movement, it's now illegal to throw to first.

Certainly, in my games, that's what I'm going to see. ;)

(Especially since the wind-up with R1 is only used when there's also an R2 and an R3; R1 isn't going anywhere and there's no need for a "legal" pick-off attempt at first.)

YEs, except that, in most cases, the wind-up move is accompanied by additional movements of the hands / arms that indicate it's a pitch. So, despite the (legal) foot movement, it's now illegal to throw to first.


The original post doesn't ask about pitching
from the Windup position. This discussion is
about a pickoff attempt from the STRETCH position.

From the Windup, this foot movement would be
illegal once he has made any natural movement
associated with his delivery. He is then
committed to pitch. 8.01(a)