quote:

Sounds like you're saying that a RHP pitcher can lift his left heel and swing to 1B! If that's what you're saying, I believe I'd have to disagree.

Please explain why you disagree.

quote:

Originally posted by JMW37:

Come again? . . . Sounds like you're saying that a RHP pitcher can lift his left heel and swing to 1B! If that's what you're saying, I believe I'd have to disagree.

Here we go again.

The rules allow a pitcher, in either set or windup, to step and throw to a base. Please tell me how one does this without lifting his heel.

quote:

The rules allow a pitcher, in either set or windup, to step and throw to a base. Please tell me how one does this without lifting his heel.

Bingo!

Perhaps I am making an assumption that you don't intend, but I read this as he is swinging his left foot without moving/disengaging his right foot from the rubber.

The pitcher isn't required to disengage from the rubber with his pivot foot prior to making such a move.

quote:

Originally posted by JMW37:
Perhaps I am making an assumption that you don't intend, but I read this as he is swinging his left foot without moving/disengaging his right foot from the rubber.

The rules don't require disengagement to step and throw to a base. Stepping off the back of the rubber is one of the three things a pitcher can do, not a prerequisite for the other two.

OBR 8.01(b) ... From such Set Position he may deliver the ball to the batter, throw to a base or step backward off the pitcher’s plate with his pivot foot.

AND
(c)... he may throw to any base provided he steps directly toward such base before making the throw.

I still think we're talking about 2 different things. I am fully aware that he does not have to step off the back of the rubber. I'm talking about a RHP picking up his left foot as if to deliver the pitch and simply swinging that foot around (as opposed to "spinning"). If that were a legal pick, why wouldn't you see it....EVER?

If it is in fact legal, I will stand corrected.

quote:

Originally posted by JMW37:


If it is in fact legal, I will stand corrected.

What part of c)... he may throw to any base provided he steps directly toward such base before making the throw, wasn't clear?

It is legal, you stand corrected.

I see it often. the left foot is raised slightly to clear the ground and is swung quickly.

It does come with a danger if not exeucted properly, e.g. it is not done smoothly and continuously, it will be balked. Additionally, many coaches have the same misunderstanging you had, and don't teach it.

Again, the Evans balk video is a must for every umpire and pitching coach.

I can't say I'm sure what you mean by lifting the foot "as if to deliver a pitch" but simply picking up the non-pivot foot and in a continuous motion swinging it around toward the base to which the pitcher throws is perfectly legal.
You see this move more commonly made to second base but it's not illegal to make the same move to first. You virtually never see it to first because it's notoriously slow since the right hander starts with his back to first base.

It's like the pick-off move from the wind up position which is legal under OBR. In 15 years of officiating I have never seen a pitcher attempt it. I don't recall ever seeing a pitcher in a MLB game try it either. However, not having seen it doesn't make it illegal.

Additionally, there's a physical risk involved. To make this move from the set position the pitcher will have to pivot on the toe of his right (pivot) foot. If he catches his heel on the rubber or in the hole that is usually in front of it he could end up with a nasty ankle injury as well as a balk call.