HS Balk on Pickoff Move

[matt26036]

First year umpire. I saw something that I had never seen before and wanted some experienced opinions. High school right-handed pitcher attempting a pickoff at first in a JV game. Without moving his pivot foot at all, the pitcher clearly stepped toward first and made a pickoff throw. The baserunner's coach wanted a balk because the pivot foot did not turn or lift and the heel did not move. I didn't think it was a balk because the pitcher stepped to first. Now after reading the NFHS balk rule I am not so sure. Honestly I'm not sure how the kid turned his hips that far to make the throw but I watched him do it multiple times. I know my hips don't do that. What is the correct call?

[Rich Ives]

I see things in the rule that say he MAY move his pivot foot in certain ways before throwing to 1B but nothing that says he MUST move his pivot foot. Which part makes you think might require a move?

[bob jenkins]

The pivot foot didn't pivot? Unusual, but legal.

[MD Longhorn]

Sounds like a great (but legal) way to break an ankle.

[matt26036]

Rule 6-3 says "...the pitcher may turn on his pivot foot or lift it in a jump turn to step with the non-pivot foot toward a base while throwing ..." The first time that I looked at that I took it as the pitcher must do one of those actions to throw to first but now I look at it and nowhere does it say that the pitcher must do one of those. So I guess I feel better about my call unless I'm looking at this wrong.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by matt26036

Rule 6-3 says "...the pitcher may turn on his pivot foot or lift it in a jump turn to step with the non-pivot foot toward a base while throwing ..." The first time that I looked at that I took it as the pitcher must do one of those actions to throw to first but now I look at it and nowhere does it say that the pitcher must do one of those. So I guess I feel better about my call unless I'm looking at this wrong.

And note that it says "turn on his pivot foot" and not 'turn his pivot foot". IOW use the foot as the pivot point.