Rule sets / OBR / Disengage Free Foot Balk
Disengage Free Foot Balk
If the pitcher disengages from the rubber with his free foot instead of his pivot foot, it is a balk.
In disengaging the rubber the pitcher must step off with his pivot foot and not his free foot first.
MLB Umpire Development Manual Authoritative interpretation
From the Windup or Set Poition, a pitcher may:
- Disengage the rubber by clearly stepping off the back of the rubber with the pivot foot before (i) throwing to a base; (ii) feinting to a base; or (iii) separating his hands.
Video examples
Left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw in the Windup Position disengages from the rubber by first stepping with his free foot and then steps off with his pivot foot.
Pitcher disengages from the rubber by first stepping with his free foot and then steps off with his pivot foot.