text: who started the tradition of pitchers not stepping on  the infield foul line?   it's not really a tradition so much as a superstition. players think it brings them bad luck if they step on the foul line while they walk/run on and off the field. a lot of players refuse to do so, not just pitchers. i did the same thing when i played ball in highschool and college and i do the same thing now when i play rec league softball.