pitcher off the rubber?

[Guest Ryan Newton]

It was brought to my attention by the 1st base coach that the opposing pitcher's pivot foot was coming off of the rubber about an inch to an inch and a half during his delivery.  After a couple of pitches I called an illegal pitch and informed the pitcher to try and remain on the rubber during delivery.  During the half inning I examined the mound with the home plate umpire and we both determined that the pitcher's foot was sliding into the "toe hole" that was made by both side's pitchers.  No additional illegal pitch calls were made the rest of the game due to the wet conditions and both teams constantly "in the hole".  Should I have called an illegal pitch every time or just let the pitcher's pivot foot be good enough by being "in the hole"?

 

[noumpere]

Let it go.

 

If the coach asks again, "okay, I'll look for it."

 

Then, "he's good"

 

Then, "your gone"

[HeadHunterLA]

Boogers?

[Mike Prince]

Choose to grab the cleaner end of that stick...

[Specks]

Had that happen but the pitcher was coming off 6-8 inches, just called time and said don't do that anymore and he didn't.

[Umpire in Chief]

Thanks for the question Ryan. Going strictly off the book you were correct... But, unless it is egregious most umpire's won't touch that one. 

[mstaylor]

With an impeccable field, low on the priority list. Ugly hole in front of the rubber, not even talking.

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[Guest Smuk]

Is having the pivot foot come off the rubber the sole criteria for this being illegal or must the pitcher also be stepping back with that foot?

[BigUmp56]

Is having the pivot foot come off the rubber the sole criteria for this being illegal or must the pitcher also be stepping back with that foot?

 

If he's stepping in front of the rubber with his pivot foot to gain an advantage, then you should call the IP with no runners and a balk with runners. As far as the foot coming off the rubber being the sole criteria for this being illegal, I would say that it's not, because most pitchers in the windup lift their pivot foot to step from the top of the rubber to the front of it. If he steps back with his pivot foot he's disengaged the rubber and cannot make a legal pitch until he properly toes the rubber again.

 

Tim.