Legal Feint to first?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by jdmara

But is merely turning of the shoulders considered a feint (in other words, is this move illegal if he turns his shoulders before his pivot foot lands)?

Yes, that's illegal, but benefit of any doubt to the pitcher here.

This is a "technical" balk. If he jerks his shoulders around, beat, then steps off, I'd get it. But if it's at all defensible as "at the same time," then I'd allow it.

NFHS 6.1.1J states that turning, even jerking, the shoulders toward 1B is legal prior to coming set. After coming set, that would be a balk with runners on.