Is this pick-off legal?

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Larry1953

Still, the rules specifically mentioned THE RUNNERS presumably so they would know which hand the pitcher might try to pick them off with.*

I think the rules need to be clarified to say once the pitcher steps off the rubber he may throw with either hand or, to the contrary, that the pitcher must throw with the "indicated hand" as long as he is standing on the mound.

So if he fields a batted ball on the mound he can only throw with the indicated hand?

If a runner sees a pitcher step off he's going back to the base. Which hand the throws with doesn't come into play.

You're trying to solve a non-existent problem.

[DBull]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

You're trying to solve a non-existent problem.

Yep

[Larry1953]

Sorry, didn't go through the minutiae of saying "whilst on the mound with ball on person in the process of commencing the act of pitching and not in the act of fielding a batted or thrown ball or stooping over to pick up an errant hot dog wrapper if such wrapper is being blown by a north-south wind..:-)

Seriously, guys, try the move in pantomime. You can get the throw off in about one-third of the time it takes for the usual contortions pick-off attempts at second take. I pulled that move while pitching batting practice with game simulation for my son's 14 year old Senior Little League team 15 years ago and the kid never knew what hit him. He got up yelling "that's a balk, Coach!!" so I gave him third. I asked a couple of amateur crews about it and they were divided and I have never really gotten an answer. But there are a handful of guys in high school through pro ball who are ambidextrous enough to pull it off and they ought to try it if it is legal. I just wouldn't do it with Bob Davidson anywhere around.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

You're trying to solve a non-existent problem.

Or, trying to give the illusion that one exists.