Can a right handed pitcher pick off a runner at first base without first stepping backwards off the rubber?

Answer 1

According to the rules of Baseball if a right handed pitcher is going to make a move to first base while his pivot foot (right) is in contact with the rubber his left foot's FIRST MOVE must be toward first. It is not necessary to step off the rubber but the pitcher cannot raise his left foot as if to make a pitch and then spin and throw to first. What is important to know on this subject is that while in contact with the rubber with his pivot foot the pitcher is a pitcher. once the pitcher steps behind the rubber he is no longer the pitcher. He becomes an infielder! What's the difference? If a "pitcher" attemps a throw to first or third and the throw goes out of play all runners advance ONE base from the base they were on when the play started. When a fielder throws a ball out of play all runners get TWO bases from the base they were on when the play started. As crazy as that sounds, that is what happens all the time but it is called incorrectly. You hear "one base on an overthrow" but the reality is that when a ball is batted and the shortstop throws it out of play the BATTER who started at home plate goes to second. That is TWO bases from where he was when the play started!! In addition when a ball is thrown out of play by an outfielder then the runners are awarded TWO bases from the base they had possession of AT THE TIME OF THE THROW. This would also apply to any throw made by an infielder AFTER all runners and the batter have reached one base safely. (ex. relay throw) ---- I am so glad to see someone get this right! I believe that the popularity of the jump step, which is a quicker, better move, has many people believing that it's the only way the rules allow. But if you watched baseball in the 50's and 60's most righthanded pitchers DID NOT use the modern jump step. They stepped towards first-base while pivoting on their rightfoot never disengaging the rubber!! I used that move for more than 20 years of highschool, college and semi-pro baseball. And I only had a few balks called and they were for other infractions!

Answer 2

A left handed pitcher can fake a throw to first base so long as the pitcher disengages the pitching rubber with the pivot foot (in this case, the left foot) prior to feigning the throw.

If a left handed pitcher feigns a throw without disengaging the rubber, it is considered a balk.

Answer 3

The pitcher can throw to 3rd with a jump pivot , but he has to throw, he cannot jump pivot and fake a throw.

Answer 4

as long as you step off of the rubber you are safe to do anything you want, except throw home. It would not be a balk.