illegal pick off attempt??

Question
Hey Jon
I have a question about a pitcher on the other team.
While he was starting to pitch, right handed pitcher, his left leg comes up and then the stride on the way down as if to throw to the batter he turns and fastballs it to the first baseman, giving our runner hardly any chance to get back to first. I always thought that if you were a right-handed pitcher there is only one main method of this pickoff move. This involves a quick shuffle of the pitcher's feet to turn towards first base and throw the ball to the first baseman.? Any help before the 2007 season starts would be much appreciated.

Allan

Answer
allen
From what you have described this IS a Balk. As a righthander pitcher my only options when picking to first base are to either
1. step off the rubber and then turn and pick
or 2. make a quick jump-spin (what you described) and deliver to first.
A righthanded pitcher cannot move their left leg first when picking off to first. I CAN however lift my left leg and then pick-off to second or third.
Hopefully the next time this happens the umpire can make the correct call.
thanks for the question and if its ok with you, I'd like to post it on my web site, www.ProPitchingOnline.com. Let me know if you have any objections.
-jon