Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 10/12/2004

Question
say pitcher brings his back foot from the backside of the rubber to the front side of the rubber and at the same time puts his hands together in front of him, to make the set position. would this be considered intent to deceive the runner. could you also explain why this would be any different from moving your front foot back at the same time you bring your hands together. also when taking signs from the catcher your foot has to be on the rubber, can that be in the set position or does that have to be before you get into the set position  

Answer
Rod,

The pitcher may not disengage from the rubber and still be moving toward the set position.  In moving their foot, they probably disengage from the rubber.  Even if they do not disengage, some umpires might call a balk for this unorthodox movement, but the rulebook does not specifically say you can't move the foot touching the rubber.  But there is plenty of language in their for someone to interpret that as an illegal movement.

You have to be on the rubber to get signs, but it doesn't matter if you are in the set position or just peering in to get the signs.

Hope this helps!

Brian