What is the ruling if a left-handed pitcher steps back off the pitcher's plate with his pivot foot before throwing to first base?

Stepping back off the pitcher's plate with the pivot foot before throwing to first base is considered legal as long as the pivot foot touches the ground first. In baseball, when a pitcher disengages from the pitcher's plate, they must ensure that they maintain proper foot placement while executing the throw. The key point here is that the pivot foot must make contact with the ground before the throw is made, which allows the pitcher to legally go through the motion of making a pick-off attempt.

This ruling emphasizes the importance of the pitcher's footwork and reaffirms the regulations surrounding pitching mechanics. Proper engagement with the pitcher's plate and the sequence of movements involved in throwing to a base are critical for ensuring that the play is executed within the rules.