Expert: George W. Case III - 11/2/2010

Question
Watching the world series and husband said that pitcher had to stay on mat or rubber strip. Neither team did that.  where does the pitcher stand when throwing the ball?  Does he have to stay on the mound?  or on the rubber strip?  Or only within the dirt area?  Thanks, Jane

Answer
It is called the rubber - pitcher must be in contact with the rubber when he goes into his windup - in the full wind-up (no men on base) pitcher will normally have his foot at least touching the rubber with his front foot - often they pitcher will pivot off the rubber - where he lands after throwing the pitch really doesn't matter - but the rubber is 60'6" from home plate - on a stretch, with a runner on base, the pitcher will normally have his rear foot in contact on the side of his foot with the rubber - again must have contact with the rubber before throwing the pitch - if a pitcher wants to throw to second or third base he needs to step off the rubber or if he is calling time he needs to step off the rubber - to second he only needs to step off the rubber - does not necessarily have to throw to second - therefore no balk is called - if he fakes a throw to first or third without throwing the ball, a balk may be called - or if his motion to first or third is deceptive to the baserunner the umpire may call a balk - allowing the runners to move up one base - a balk call is usually a very controversial call leading to arguments - there are various movements a pitcher must make and if the umpire believes the pitcher is deceiving the runner with his "motion" the umpire may call a balk - you should check the baseball rule book for the exact wording of the "balk move"