The pitcher occupies a unique and highly regulated position on the baseball field, serving as the central defensive player who initiates every play. Unlike other fielders, the pitcher’s location and body movements are strictly defined by the official rules of the game. These regulations govern the distance, elevation, and physical contact required before the ball is delivered to the batter. The rules dictate where the pitcher must stand, the two distinct legal stances they must adopt, and the specific movements permitted while engaged with the playing surface.
The Pitcher’s Mound and Plate
The pitcher stands on the pitcher’s mound, a raised circular area of dirt located in the center of the infield. The top of the mound is elevated exactly 10 inches above the level of home plate. This height difference creates a downward slope, allowing the pitcher to generate greater velocity and a steeper angle on the pitch.
At the apex of the mound is the pitcher’s plate, commonly known as the rubber, a rectangular slab of whitened rubber measuring 24 inches wide and 6 inches deep. The front edge of this plate is positioned precisely 60 feet, 6 inches from the rear point of home plate. The pitcher must maintain contact with this rubber using their pivot foot to be considered legally engaged in the act of pitching.
Legal Pitching Positions
A pitcher must adopt one of two distinct legal positions while in contact with the rubber: the windup or the set position. The choice between these two stances is typically determined by whether there are runners on base, as each position imposes different constraints on movement. Both positions require the pitcher to take signs from the catcher while their pivot foot is in contact with the rubber.
The Windup Position
The windup position is generally used when the bases are empty. The pitcher faces the batter with their pivot foot touching the rubber and their free foot placed anywhere relative to the rubber. From this stance, the pitcher is permitted to make preparatory movements, such as a full body turn or a step backward with the free foot, before beginning the delivery. Once the hands come together, any natural movement associated with the delivery commits the pitcher to completing the pitch.
The Set Position
The set position, often referred to as the stretch, is mandatory when runners are on base because it facilitates a quicker delivery to the plate and helps prevent base stealing. In this position, the pitcher stands facing the batter with the pivot foot in contact with the rubber and the free foot placed entirely in front of the rubber. The pitcher must hold the ball with both hands in front of their body. Crucially, the pitcher must come to a complete, discernible stop before initiating the pitch, which limits the ability to deceive base runners.
Rules for Contact and Movement
The legality of a pitch is fundamentally tied to the pitcher’s feet and their interaction with the pitching rubber. The pivot foot must remain in contact with the rubber until the pitcher begins the final forward motion of the delivery. Losing contact with the rubber prematurely, or making an illegal movement while engaged, can result in a penalty.
If the pitcher needs to step off the rubber to make a play or reset, they must first disengage by stepping backward off the rubber with the pivot foot. Once the pivot foot is removed, the pitcher is considered a regular infielder and is no longer subject to the strict pitching rules. Stepping forward or sideways off the rubber with the pivot foot is an illegal move.
When runners are on base, any illegal or deceptive movement while engaged with the rubber is called a balk, resulting in all runners advancing one base. Common examples of a balk include starting the pitching motion and then stopping, or failing to step directly toward a base before throwing to it. These rules prevent the pitcher from unfairly deceiving the runners.