In high school ball the hybrid stance is illegal and this video is a perfect example of why. In MLB it is legal but this umpire got fooled by it.

 

Murphy gets ejected | MLB.com

 

That's a balk in high school ball and the stance is illegal to begin with.

 

If you are pitching from the windup then your non-pivot foot has to be touching the line that extends from the rubber. In Rusin's case in the video his non-pivot was in front of the mount. Illegal in FED and a balk.

 

If you are going from the stretch your pivot foot has to be COMPLETELY touching the rubber. See this video for what is legal vs illegal.

 

Perfect example of how this motion is confusing. I have no issue with this being a balk.

 

The one I don't get however is the balk call for the pitcher's foot being partially off the rubber from the stretch. If he is lined up straight to the plate, why does it matter where on the rubber he sets up as long as he is in contact with the rubber. I'll try to illustrate what I mean below.

 

Pitcher's Plate

-------------Foot

 

 

-------------Foot

 

Yes, the heel is off the rubber but how is that deceiving to the batter or runner(s)?

Perfect example of how this motion is confusing. I have no issue with this being a balk.

 

The one I don't get however is the balk call for the pitcher's foot being partially off the rubber from the stretch. If he is lined up straight to the plate, why does it matter where on the rubber he sets up as long as he is in contact with the rubber. I'll try to illustrate what I mean below.

 

Pitcher's Plate

-------------Foot

 

 

-------------Foot

 

Yes, the heel is off the rubber but how is that deceiving to the batter or runner(s)?

 

I am not sure what the logic is for that one.

Perfect example of how this motion is confusing. I have no issue with this being a balk.

 

The one I don't get however is the balk call for the pitcher's foot being partially off the rubber from the stretch. If he is lined up straight to the plate, why does it matter where on the rubber he sets up as long as he is in contact with the rubber. I'll try to illustrate what I mean below.

 

Pitcher's Plate

-------------Foot

 

 

-------------Foot

 

Yes, the heel is off the rubber but how is that deceiving to the batter or runner(s)?

 

I checked with someone I trust.

 

Two possible reasons.

 

1. If there is no rule at all i.e. "as long as part of the foot is touching" then it can be difficult for the runner to know when the pitcher is actually "on" the rubber if it's an extreme case.

2. Advantage for the pitcher due to the angle he could have if there was no limitation.