Foot Position - Wind Up

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by cbfoulds

Since it is not legal to pick-off from the windup in FED, and since I can think of no possible advantage of any kind that this starting position confers on the pitcher, this is, IMHO, booger-picking.

But isn't that just the advantage he gains with R3 only? Judging by F1's feet, he's in the stretch, so if he throws over to 3rd base you can't penalize him. R3 shortens his lead in case of a pick-off. When F1 pitches from the windup and gains an advantage over the batter. And the umpires have no idea when the pitch starts.

As for the advice of balking him for not stopping in this situation, the coach is going to come out and ask why. If you say, "no stop," he'll say, "he's winding up." Since you've allowed this windup all game, you're now grabbing the crappy end of the stick by calling this balk.

I think this needs to be addressed in the first inning. I've seen it in one game this season. I was BU and let it go, and my partner didn't see any advantage. I now think that was a mistake.