Windup A
pitcher is in the windup when, with the ball, the pitcher stands on or directly in front of the
pitching rubber, located at the top of the
mound, with their feet pointing toward
home plate. Prior to throwing a
pitch, the pitcher has the option of taking one step back toward
second base or to either side, using their free leg (left leg for a right-handed pitcher). During the delivery of the pitch, the pitcher must take one step forward, in the direction of
home plate. Alternatively, the pitcher may step off the rubber with their pivot foot (the right foot, for right-handed pitchers) or step toward and throw or feign a throw to a base, subject to the
balk rules. The
balk rules do not apply if there are no runners on base. In the windup, the time of pitch is the instant when one of the following occurs: the pitcher commits to taking a step backward, or they take a step to the side, or bring their hands together.
Set ,
closer for the
New York Yankees, having come set of the
Cincinnati Reds, pitching from the set, just before the time of pitch A pitcher is in the set when, with the ball, they stand on, or directly in front of—and touching—the pitching rubber, with their toes pointing toward the side (toward
third base for a right-handed pitcher) and their arms apart at their sides. This initial part of the set is called the stretch, because the pitcher usually stretches toward home plate to take signs from the catcher. At this point, the pitcher may make any number of preparatory movements necessary for delivering the pitch. The pitcher may optionally throw to a base or disengage the rubber, but in order to pitch, he first brings his arms together in front of his body (a movement punctuated with a discernible pause). This is called
coming set. After coming set, the pitcher takes a step toward home and delivers the pitch. Typically, pitchers from the set use a high leg kick, thus lunging toward home in pitching; a pitcher may instead release the ball more quickly by using the
slide step, quickly stepping directly and immediately toward home and pitching. In the set position, the time of pitch is that instant when the pitcher makes a move toward home plate after coming set. As with the windup, prior to the time of pitch, the pitcher may step toward and throw or feign a throw to a base, subject to the
balk rules, or disengage the rubber by stepping back (toward second base) with their pivot foot. ==Strengths and weaknesses==