PITCHING POSITION
QUESTION: In high school baseball only, bases loaded, one out; pitcher assumes the windup position and throws to first base to pick off the base runner. Legal move?
ANSWER: Balk, dead ball is the call. Each runner advances one base. No ball is added to the count due to dead ball call. From the windup position, pitcher may only deliver a pitch or take a step backward off the pitching rubber with his pivot foot first (Rule 6, Sec. 1, Art. 2).
QUESTION: In high school softball only, pitcher steps on pitching plate with hands separated, takes the signal, brings her hands together, takes a step backward then steps forward and delivers the pitch. Legal delivery?
ANSWER: This delivery is considered legal in 2018. Previously, pitcher was not permitted to take a step backward after hands were together (Rule 6, Se. 1, Art. 2, b).
