Can a right-handed pitcher make a move to first base by stepping directly to first base (without making any move to home)? Pitcher brings left foot up & directly moves heel of left foot towards first base (with no separation of hands & no rotation of his shoulders until left foot lands ) & then turns & throws to first? Would this be consider a "Jab Step"? Is this a balk & if so, why? This move seems to be similar to the left-handed pitchers move to first base. The leading foot towards first base has made no attempt to move towards home in both cases. If this is not a balk, then why do we not see it done on a regular basis in the major leagues.

Can you please give reference to the rule that proves this?

It's tough, but possible.......
 

If it's done smoothly, without gaining ground toward home, it's all right.

Carl Childress researched this thoroughly, and got an authoritative opinion from PBUC on this very subject.

The reason you won't see this move very often is that it's extremely difficult to do it legally with any degree of speed. It is usually effective only if the base-runner has been told to break on lift-off, rather than on first movement toward the plate.

As far as the rule citation, this move conforms with all the legal requirements of the pitching rule as long as no "ground is gained" toward home with the leg during the step. Since this move is exactly the opposite of the Left-hander's hang and step to first, it's allowed by rule.


Senior

Re: It's tough, but possible.......
 

While a RHF1 may move his left foot toward 1B as he simultaneously lifts it, he cannot raise his left leg upward, bending significantly at the knee, and then kick backward toward 1B. For a RHF1 to hang his left leg and then swing it heel first and back toward 1B is a balk. That's the reason why you don't repeatedly see that move at ANY level. The leniency provided a LHF1 to step toward 1B is provided the RHF1 toward 3B.

Senior, you'll have to enlighten me regarding this PBUC ruling. I've not seen it in the any of The BRD's I own. Perhaps one of us is confusing what the poster meant by his original question....or what we are reading in The BRD.


Freix