you make the call

[soundedlikeastrike]

Originally Posted by Robert E. Harrison

As F1 is stepping off the rubber (Pivot foot is no longer in contact with the rubber but has not touched the ground) the ball pops out, then the pivot foot hits the ground and then the ball hits the ground (does not cross Foul line)
Is this a balk or as long as his pivot foot hits the ground before the ball everything is OK?
I saw this happen on a bluff and runner on first. Fed rules.

Regardless of where this dropped ball goes it's live and in play, whether his foot has hit the ground or not, he's gotta "step back off the rubber," Not step back off the rubber and contact the ground, any arm actions while he's making that step are fine and he' s off the rubber.