according to mlb rules not hs or college can the pitcher be on the mound but not astride the rubber and time in of course for the hidden ball tagout to be ruled out and not a balk. I think HS and NCAA ball the pitcher has to be off the 18 foot area called the mound and time in for the play to be called not a balk and the surprised runner called out. If MLB rules apply he can be in the mound area as long as he is not touching or astride the rubber and time in for the tag to be called correctly and the runner is picked off the base?

according to mlb rules not hs or college can the pitcher be on the mound but not astride the rubber and time in of course for the hidden ball tagout to be ruled out and not a balk. I think HS and NCAA ball the pitcher has to be off the 18 foot area called the mound and time in for the play to be called not a balk and the surprised runner called out. If MLB rules apply he can be in the mound area as long as he is not touching or astride the rubber and time in for the tag to be called correctly and the runner is picked off the base

where is the factual answer i cant find it on mlb rules either hs and college you cannot be on the mound which includes the 18 foot area called the dirt... in mlb can you be on the dirt but not astride the rubber for the play to called legally out?? i want an umpire of a facutal answer there is a difference between the mound (18 foot area) and the rubber.. is the rule the same as college and hs where the pitcher cannot be on the mound area at all

In the ML, the pitcher can be astride, as long as he's not in contact with the rubber.


EDIT: In high school and college, the pitcher has to be completely off the dirt surface of the mound area. In MLB, the pitcher can be on the dirt, as long as he isn't astride the rubber, whether he's touching the pitching rubber or not. I wrote this incorrectly ^^^^^^^^^^

Rule 8.05(i) states: (a balk shall be called if....) The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher鈥檚 plate or while off the plate, he feints a pitch;

Therefore, just being on the dirt of the mound does not constitute a balk in MLB.
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Let's get this straight: The "best" answer says the pitcher CAN stand astride the rubber without the ball, but then he cites the rule, which specifically states that standing astride the rubber without the ball is a BALK. Good going, guys... Report It

Let me add this - I umpired minor league ball for 3 years and HS/small college for a total of 18 and I do not know the rules to give a correct answer. That is why fans boo-- they do not know the rules of the game. Report It

As long as the pitcher is not the rubber,the hidden ball trick would work to perfection.I believe in college,it is a definite that the pitcher has to be off the mound completely.As for high schools,I am not sure.

No the pitcher can not be on the mound.

pitcher has to be on the grass for it to be legal

In any game using the Official Rules the pitcher must be completely off the 18 foot pitcher's mound for the play to be legal. Rule 8 covers the pitcher. In college -- same. In HS the pitcher cannot be within 5 feet (halfway on the mound)for the play to be okay. Rule 6 in the Fed book covers pitching rules.