49 8.00—THE PITCHER 8.01–LEGAL PITCHING DELIVERY There are two legal pitching positions, the Windup Position, and the Set Position, and either position may be used at any time. Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher or from the dugout while standing on the rubber. Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs but may not step quickly onto the rubber and pitch. This may be judged a quick pitch by the umpire. When the pitcher disengages the rubber, he must drop his hands to his sides. Pitchers are not allowed to disengage the rubber after taking each sign. (a) THE WINDUP POSITION (1) The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate, and the other foot free. From this position any natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interruption or alteration. He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot. (2) When a pitcher holds the ball with both hands in front of his body, with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate and his other foot free, he will be considered in the Windup Position. (3) In the Windup position, a pitcher is permitted to have his “free” foot on the rubber, in front of the rubber, behind the rubber or off the side of the rubber. (4) From the Windup Position, the pitcher may: (i) deliver the ball to the batter, or (ii) step and throw to a base in an attempt to pick-off a runner, or (iii) disengage the rubber (if he does, he must drop his hand to his sides). In disengaging the rubber, the pitcher must step off with his pivot foot and not his free foot first. He may not go into a Set position stance from the Windup stance or from the Windup stance to the Set position stance without disengaging the rubber if he does it is a balk. (b) THE SET POSITION (1) The Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when he stands facing the batter with his pivot foot in contact with, and his other foot in front of the pitcher’s plate, holding the ball in both hands in front of his body and coming to a complete stop. (2) From such Set Position, he may deliver the ball to the batter, throw to a base or step backward off the pitcher’s plate with his pivot foot. (3) Before assuming the Set position, the pitcher may elect to make any natural pre- liminary motion such as that known as “the stretch.” However, if he so elects, he shall come to the Set Position before delivering the ball to the batter After assuming the Set position, any natural motion associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without alteration or interruption. (4) Prior to coming to a set position, the pitcher will be allowed to turn his shoulder to check the runner(s) on base and the pitcher shall have one hand on his side: from this position, he shall go to his set position without interruption and in one continuous motion. (5) The pitcher, following his stretch, must (a) hold the ball in both hands in front of his body and (b) come to a complete stop. This must be enforced. Pitchers are constantly attempting to “beat the rule” in their efforts to hold runners on bases and in cases where
