Pitching from the windup WITHOUT stepping backward + jab step pickoff

[Vikki]

OBR (Babe Ruth), I was solo umpire at HP. R1, 0 out. With the runner on first, F1 engages the rubber as if he's in the windup (intentionally, he didn't forget the runner). With both toes pointed at the plate, hands together, he stands very still as if coming set, then proceeds to step ONLY with his free foot forward and deliver the pitch. It looked VERY odd, like something out of old-timey baseball. 

I issued a balk warning (this was a scrimmage) and he switched to the set position until the next inning (see below). No argument from DHC. But now that I've thought about it, I'm not sure that it's illegal, because Babe Ruth 8.01 (a) book says, "he MAY take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot." Thoughts?

Same pitcher in the following inning, same situation R1, 0 Out. Again he engages the rubber in the windup. This time, though, with toes pointing forward toward home, he makes a quick jab step move and picks the runner off first. I let the play stand because I could not find anything illegal - he used essentially the same move one would use from the set, except he was rotated 90 degrees closer because he was facing home. His pivot foot came slightly away from the rubber and he gained distance and direction to first in one continuous motion. 

I'd appreciate feedback on both of these rulings.  

[Replacematt]

Both sound legal to me, but I'd want to see the first one to be sure.

[jimurrayalterego]

1 hour ago, Replacematt said:

Both sound legal to me, but I'd want to see the first one to be sure.

You don’t have to windup in the windup. Several past or current MLB pitchers employ that technique, sometimes pissing off batters and/ or umpires. Occasional balks or QPs but usually legal. 

[noumpere]

2 hours ago, jimurrayalterego said:

You don’t have to windup in the windup. Several past or current MLB pitchers employ that technique, sometimes pissing off batters and/ or umpires. Occasional balks or QPs but usually legal. 

And, ... it's legal (except in FED) to pick-off from the windup.  The requirements are the same as from the set, and it appears the pitcher met them.

[Replacematt]

5 hours ago, jimurrayalterego said:

You don’t have to windup in the windup. Several past or current MLB pitchers employ that technique, sometimes pissing off batters and/ or umpires. Occasional balks or QPs but usually legal. 

Yep. To your last sentence, it's more of a thought that there might be something else there that makes it illegal, as I've often seen with this type of delivery.

[jimurrayalterego]

2 hours ago, Replacematt said:

Yep. To your last sentence, it's more of a thought that there might be something else there that makes it illegal, as I've often seen with this type of delivery.

Stroman and Strop pushed the limits:

 

[Vikki]

Thanks, everyone. Very helpful. I guess it's just a good reminder that just because it looks funky, it doesn't necessarily make it illegal.