pitching -pickoff moves

Question
I saw your response that "A lefthanded pitcher must break contact with the rubber to throw to third". This is the same misconception that a right-handed pitcher must break contact to throw to first which is COMPLETELY FALSE! A righthanded pitcher can pivot on his right foot while still in contact with the rubber, step to first, and throw as long as the step is in the direction of first base and comes before the throw. Now if the right-handed pitcher lifts his free leg (similar to a lefthanders move) that would mimic his move to the plate and would be a balk. But if the righthanded pitcher pivots, steps towards first, and throws the ball in that order, he does not need to remove his foot from the rubber and it is not a balk. A lefthander could do the same thing going to third but they can actually fake the throw to third. First base is the only base where a pitcher, while in contact with the rubber, can not fake a throw.

Answer
Tim,

I agree with you 100%.  I have not answered a question about this to my knowledge lately.  I hope you do not have me confused with someone else.  

This is a legal move.  Most umpires will consider the pivot to be a breaking of contact with the rubber. The motion of the pivot and step to first is actually kind of a hopping motion in which contact with the rubber is broken. The LH can make this same move to 3B.  

Again, I agree with you 100%.  Like I explain above, that quick move is considered a "breaking of contact".  I just don't remember answering that question, but I do answer a lot of them. If so, my mistake for not being more clear and I appreciate you catching it and bringing it to my attention.

Take care and Play Ball!

Mike