Is it a legal pitch if a player starts with his back foot behind the rubber, brings his hands together in a set position, then lifts the back foot up and moves it onto the front side of the rubber and delivers the pitch?
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I have seen several pitchers do this in an almost rocking like motion...they set their foot behind the rubber, come set, rock back and move their foot as they launch forward. Never seen it called a balk.
Not sure I get the scenario. But if he is in the wind up my inclination is to say he is fine. What you describe certainly doesn't sound like being in the stretch but I suppose if he were in the stretch that would be a balk with runners on base.
The pitcher is definetly in the stretch position, I have never seen this before where he puts his foot on the from side of the rubber after starting his motion??
Originally Posted by Curtis:
The pitcher is definetly in the stretch position, I have never seen this before where he puts his foot on the from side of the rubber after starting his motion??
Is he starting with his foot touching the rubber? (you said "behind the rubber" but I am uncertain if you mean touching the back of the rubber or completely behind). If so, I think it is legal.
Are you sure he is not just taking the sign? If he is actually in a set position with non pivot foot behind rubber then moves foot to the front and it retouches the ground without a pitch being thrown it is definitely a balk. In fact I am not even sure it would be legal to start with your non pivot foot behind the rubber from the set position even if you did deliver to the plate.
No. That sounds like a quick pitch. The pitcher has to engage the rubber and pause (ie; "take his sign") prior to pitching.