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 it 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 preliminary motion, such as that known as "the stretch." However, if he 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 the pitcher fails to make a complete "stop" called for in the rules, the umpire should immediately call a "Balk." NOTE: With no runners on base, the pitcher is not required to come to a complete stop when using the Set position. If, however, in the umpire's judgement, a pitcher delivers the ball in a deliberate effort to catch the batter off guard, this delivery shall be deemed a quick pitch, for which the penalty is a ball. 56
