Set Position, Pivot Foot Not Entirely in Front of Plate

[UmpJM]

John,

Your reading is entirely accurate on your first question (pivot foot entirely in contact with the rubber). Were I taking a FED test, I would adhere to the strict wording "strictly".

However, in the real world, it's not quite that simple. It is customary to allow the pitcher "some" latitude, and I would consider 2/3's of his foot "in contact" pretty much within the tolerance. The bigger the "hole" in front of the rubber, the more "tolerance" I'm going to have.

If you judge the pitcher is "stretching" the tolerance, call "TIME" and instruct him to adjust his position rather than allowing him to initiate his delivery and calling a balk.

That's what I'd do.

On your second question, it is perfectly legal for a pitcher to make a pick-off throw without first having come to a discernible stop. See 6.1.3H.

JM