Pick-off at Home

[ccbestul]

What is missing here: the rules do not forbid the pitcher from stepping toward home plate to retire a runner. The pitcher did not look in for any signs. He did not begin his preliminary motions even. 6.1.3 states "Before starting delivery..." This implies a period of time from stepping on the rubber and being ready to deliver. This is the time I'm talking about. The pitcher stepped on the rubber and the runner took off. Since the rules do not exempt HP form this move, I contend he can step and throw him out during that period only.