Pitcher's Foot in the Set Position
Posted: 10/2/2012
Q.: If a pitcher is in the set position, could half of his foot be outside the pitching plate, meaning half of his foot is directly in front of the mound, but the other half is nearer first base, outside the 24 inch plate. There seems to be disagreement about this, that as long as part of the foot is there, then it is okay. I'm looking at Rule 6-1-3, and I am unclear which way this goes. Is it as long as even the toe is in contact with the mound, but the rest of the foot is outside the 24 inches, or not?
A.: The entire pivot foot must be inside the plate in the set position. However, the non-pivot foot must be in front of the rubber, but not directly (inside the side planes) of the rubber. It depends on which foot you are referring. From the 2012 High School Baseball Rules by Topic: If the pitcher pitches with the toe of his pivot foot (right foot for a right-handed pitcher) in contact with the pitcher’s plate but his heel is outside a line through the end edge of the plate. He pitches from the set position. Ruling: Illegal pitch or balk.
Also from Rules by Topic: F1 takes the set position with his pivot foot entirely in front of and in contact with the
pitcher’s plate. F1’s non-pivot foot is entirely in front of his pivot foot (toward home plate) but is not within the plane of each end of the pitcher’s plate. Ruling: This is legal, since only the pivot foot is required to be entirely in front of the pitcher’s plate, within the plane of each end of the pitcher’s plate, and in contact with it. The non-pivot foot is required to be entirely in front of the front plane of the pitcher’s plate but does not have to be within the plane of each end of the pitcher’s plate.
From the NFHS Rule Book (6-1-3): Before starting his delivery, he shall stand with his entire non-pivot foot in front of a line extending through the front edge of the pitcher’s plate and with his entire pivot foot in contact with or directly in front of the pitcher’s plate.
This book, the 2012 High School Baseball Rules by Topic, is for sale in our office for only $5 and is a great resource. It provides examples like the casebook, but in a different order.
