Legal Feint to first?

[RPatrino]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I've been seeing LHP do a kind of jump step this season. Hadn't seen that much before.

When both feet move, even if the pivot foot ends up behind the rubber, the free foot better gain both distance and direction toward the base. And he better throw if it's 1B. This is NOT legally disengaging.

Correct!! If this is done in one continuous motion and the ball is not thrown to 1st, it is a BALK! If the pitcher steps off the rubber with his pivot foot, and with the pivot foot planted, turns and fakes, then that is a legal feint.

In the OP, if the pitcher had come set, then stepped off the rubber, he can feint (by turning his shoulders) to first. He must drop his hands prior to re-engaging the rubber, in order to come set again.