Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 9/6/2007

Question
I seen a right handed pitcher (12 yr old) take a stance with their left foot on the pitching rubber (feet were about 2' apart) and then take a step forward with the right foot towards homeplate (now the fee are about 3' apart).  There is a pause and a look to check the runners before throwing. Isn't the first step motion with the right foot towards homeplate considered a balk?  Shouldn't the pitcher take a wide stance over the rubber with the left foot behind the rubber and then move the left foot to the front of the rubber?  Thanks for your time.

Answer
Mike,

I agree with you on this one.  Moving that foot forward while in contact with the rubber is not part of the normal stretch motion.  Any other action not part of the stretch (or designed to throw to the base) is a balk.

Hope this helps!

Brian