Picking from Windup Position

[CRBurks]

Dear Sir or Madam Umpire:

[NOTE: I not only need your response, but I have been requested to get a response from an official umpiring board (preferably Babe Ruth League). There is no access to the http://www.baberuthleague.org National Umpire’s Association from the web site. It is a form to join. What I am looking for is a place to post the following message officially. Thank You.]

HELP, we had a situation the other day and I need immediate clarification:

- 13-15 Division Babe Ruth League
- we were home team
- first inning
- no score
- no outs
- we had a runner on first (R1)

During the inning with no runners on base, we noticed the opposing team’s RH pitcher would throw to the plate from the windup position correctly. That means his non-pivot (left) foot would come straight back behind the rubber before he went to the plate. From the windup, this RH pitcher did not step to the side of the rubber with his non-pivot (left) foot and then deliver home. The umpire told me that a RH pitcher that steps to the side of the rubber with the non-pivot (left) foot and delivers to home was incorrect form and actually should be a balk with runner’s on base, but that most umpire’s do not call this infraction unless the other team complains OR the RH pitcher does this sidestepping motion from the windup before he delivers to the plate and then, later on, steps to first base with the non-pivot (left) foot from the windup position in an attempt to pick off the runner at first. The umpire said that in this case he would call a balk on the RH pitcher for deceiving the runner.

Ok. So we had a runner on first (R1). With R1 on, this RH pitcher toed the rubber in the windup position. That means that both of his feet were standing on the rubber. Our R1 go a huge lead off of first because the RH pitcher was in the windup position. The RH pitcher then lifted his non-pivot (left) foot straight up about one inch (his foot did not go behind or break the back plane of the rubber. He then pointed the toe of his non-pivot (left) foot straight to first base staying in front of the rubber, stepped toward first base, and then threw the ball to the first basement and successfully picked off our runner at first by a mile. The RH pitcher’s pivot (right) foot did not move during this process and did not come off the rubber until he threw to first base. The RH pitcher actually stepped toward first before the he threw.

The umpire call R1 out. I request time and talked to the umpire because I thought that a RH pitcher picking first base from the windup position in this manner was a balk. The umpire said according to Rule 8.00 that this was not a balk, but a good play. The umpire said that he may have balked him if his normal delivery to the plate from the windup position was a sidestep to first. But, he added that the RH pitcher did everything properly from the windup position – both delivery to the plate and picking off first base.

Ok. I need to go back to school. First. can a RH pitcher pick off first base from the windup position and if so how should it be done correctly. Second. Can anyone explain to me what this umpire was trying to tell me. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE reference specific rules under Rule 8.00 so that I can read and highlight them myself.

Thank you for you time, patience and support.