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Reply to "A couple more balk questions"

G'bread Man has it 100%. (A rules difference: FED does not allow a throw to a base from the windup position.)

As long as the free foot steps toward 1st before the throw, it doesn't matter what the pivot foot does.

What LOW337 describes (lifting the heel before stepping to 1st) is a balk. Some pitchers will buckle the knee to get the same effect. This is also a balk. The first movement must be a step toward 1st (or a legal jump-turn) to avoid the balk.

The jab step (pivot foot "jabs" toward 3rd just before the free foot steps toward 1st) is also legal in all codes. Some consider it a poorly-timed (but still legal) jump-turn.

Coach - If the free foot goes behind the rubber, it commits F1 to the plate OR 2nd base (although he is not required to throw to 2nd).

YHF - As long as F1 doesn't take the ball out of the glove (or his hand off the ball) and doesn't move his arm(s), he is OK. He is allowed to adjust his grip on the ball. Some pitchers will "tap" the ball on the inside of the glove. This is also OK as long as the arms don't move.
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