Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 4/15/2007

Question
The pitcher is in the stretch position. He comes set and then in one motion steps back off the rubber with his right foot and steps to first with his left foot and fakes a throw to first. The umpire said it was not a balk since his first move was stepping off the rubber. If this is not a balk then the only way to balk is to move your shoulders or hands because your first move is to step off  the rubber every time. Please help me understand this call. The pros need to start using this move because in my forty years of watching and loving baseball, I have not seen this move made in  baseball and not be called a balk. Thanks!

Answer
Raleigh,

As long as the FIRST move is disengaging from the rubber, the pitcher can basically do whatever they want.  You can not commit a balk if you are not touching the rubber.

If the pitcher did both things simultaneously, then it should be a balk.  

This type of move is used frequently by right handed pitchers because it is basically impossible to throw to first while you are engaged with the rubber.  But if you disengage just to fake a throw, basically you are wasting time and losing focus.  Left handers (Terry Mulholland was a great example) often just step toward first and throw the ball without disengaging from the rubber.  If they step toward home and throw to first, then they commit a balk.

Hope this helps!

Brian