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8.00 THE PITCHER
8.01
Legal pitching delivery. There are two legal pitching positions,
the Windup Position and the Set Position, and either position may
be used at any time. Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher
while standing on the rubber. Pitchers may disengage the rubber
after taking their signs but may not step quickly onto the rubber
and pitch. This may be judged a quick pitch by the umpire. When
the pitcher disengages the rubber, he must drop his hands to his
sides. Pitchers will not be allowed to disengage the rubber after
taking each sign. (a) The Windup Position. The pitcher shall stand
facing the batter, his entire pivot foot on, or in front of and
touching and not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and the other
foot free. From this position any natural movement associated with
his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch
without interruption or alteration. He shall not raise either foot
from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball
to the batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward
with his free foot. When a pitcher holds the ball with both hands
in front of his body, with his entire pivot foot on, or in front
of and touching but not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and
his other foot free, he will be considered in the Windup Position.
The pitcher may have one foot, not the pivot foot, off the rubber
and any distance he may desire back of a line which is an extension
to the back edge of the pitcher's plate, but not at either side
of the pitcher's plate. With his "free" foot the pitcher
may take one step backward and one step forward, but under no circumstances,
to either side, that is to either the first base or third base side
of the pitcher's rubber. If a pitcher holds the ball with both hands
in front of his body, with his entire pivot foot on or in front
of and touching but not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and
his other foot free, he will be considered in a windup position.
From this position he may: (1) deliver the ball to the batter, or
(2) step and throw to a base in an attempt to pick off a runner,
or (3) disengage the rubber (if he does he must drop his hand to
his sides). In disengaging the rubber the pitcher must step off
with his pivot foot and not his free foot first. He may not go into
a set or stretch position if he does it is a balk. (b) The Set Position.
Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when he stands facing
the batter with his entire pivot foot on, or in front of, and in
contact with, and not off the end of the pitcher's plate, and his
other foot in front of the pitcher's plate, holding the ball in
both hands in front of his body and coming to a complete stop. From
such Set Position he may deliver the ball to the batter, throw to
a base or step backward off the pitcher's plate with his pivot foot.
Before assuming Set Position, the pitcher may elect to make any
natural preliminary motion such as that known as "the stretch."
But if he so elects, he shall come to Set Position before delivering
the ball to the batter. After assuming Set Position, any natural
motion associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits
him to the pitch without alteration or interruption. Preparatory
to coming to a set position, the pitcher shall have one hand on
his side; from this position he shall go to his set position as
defined in Rule 8.01 (b) without interruption and in one continuous
motion. The whole width of the foot in contact with the rubber must
be on the rubber. A pitcher cannot pitch from off the end of the
rubber with just the side of his foot touching the rubber. The pitcher,
following his stretch, must (a) hold the ball in both hands in front
of his body and (b) come to a complete stop. This must be enforced.
Umpires should watch this closely. Pitchers are constantly attempting
to "beat the rule" in their efforts to hold runners on
bases and in cases where the pitcher fails to make a complete "stop"
called for in the rules, the umpire should immediately call a "Balk."
(c) At any time during the pitcher's preliminary movements and until
his natural pitching motion commits him to the pitch, he may throw
to any base provided he steps directly toward such base before making
the throw. The pitcher shall step "ahead of the throw."
A snap throw followed by the step directly toward the base is a
balk. (d) If the pitcher makes an illegal pitch with the bases unoccupied,
it shall be called a ball unless the batter reaches first base on
a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter or otherwise. A ball
which slips out of a pitcher's hand and crosses the foul line shall
be called a ball; otherwise it will be called no pitch. This would
be a balk with men on base. (e) If the pitcher removes his pivot
foot from contact with the pitcher's plate by stepping backward
with that foot, he thereby becomes an infielder and if he makes
a wild throw from that position, it shall be considered the same
as a wild throw by any other infielder. The pitcher, while off the
rubber, may throw to any base. If he makes a wild throw, such throw
is the throw of an infielder and what follows is governed by the
rules covering a ball thrown by a fielder.
8.02
The pitcher shall not_ (a) (1) Bring his pitching hand in contact
with his mouth or lips while in the 18 foot circle surrounding the
pitching rubber. EXCEPTION: Provided it is agreed to by both managers,
the umpire prior to the start of a game played in cold weather,
may permit the pitcher to blow on his hand. PENALTY: For violation
of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately call a ball.
However, if the pitch is made and a batter reaches first base on
a hit, an error, a hit batsman or otherwise, and no other runner
is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed
without reference to the violation. Repeated offenders shall be
subject to a fine by the league president. (2) Apply a foreign substance
of any kind to the ball; (3) expectorate on the ball, either hand
or his glove; (4) rub the ball on his glove, person or clothing;
(5) deface the ball in any manner; (6) deliver what is called the
"shine" ball, "spit" ball, "mud" ball
or "emery" ball. The pitcher, of course, is allowed to
rub the ball between his bare hands. PENALTY: For violation of any
part of this rule 8.02 (a) (2 to 6) the umpire shall: (a) Call the
pitch a ball, warn the pitcher and have announced on the public
address system the reason for the action. (b) In the case of a second
offense by the same pitcher in the same game, the pitcher shall
be disqualified from the game. (c) If a play follows the violation
called by the umpire, the manager of the offense may advise the
plate umpire that he elects to accept the play. Such election shall
be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter
reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batsman,
or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at
least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the
violation. (d) Even though the offense elects to take the play,
the violation shall be recognized and the penalties in (a) and (b)
will still be in effect. (e) The umpire shall be sole judge on whether
any portion of this rule has been violated. All umpires shall carry
with them one official rosin bag. The umpire in chief is responsible
for placing the rosin bag on the ground back of the pitcher's plate.
If at any time the ball hits the rosin bag it is in play. In the
case of rain or wet field, the umpire may instruct the pitcher to
carry the rosin bag in his hip pocket. A pitcher may use the rosin
bag for the purpose of applying rosin to his bare hand or hands.
Neither the pitcher nor any other player shall dust the ball with
the rosin bag; neither shall the pitcher nor any other player be
permitted to apply rosin from the bag to his glove or dust any part
of his uniform with the rosin bag. (b) Have on his person, or in
his possession, any foreign substance. For such infraction of this
section (b) the penalty shall be immediate ejection from the game.
(c) Intentionally delay the game by throwing the ball to players
other than the catcher, when the batter is in position, except in
an attempt to retire a runner. PENALTY: If, after warning by the
umpire, such delaying action is repeated, the pitcher shall be removed
from the game. (d) Intentionally Pitch at the Batter. If, in the
umpire's judgment, such a violation occurs, the umpire may elect
either to: 1. Expel the pitcher, or the manager and the pitcher,
from the game, or 2. may warn the pitcher and the manager of both
teams that another such pitch will result in the immediate expulsion
of that pitcher (or a replacement) and the manager. If, in the umpire's
judgment, circumstances warrant, both teams may be officially "warned"
prior to the game or at any time during the game. (League Presidents
may take additional action under authority provided in Rule 9.05)
To pitch at a batter's head is unsportsmanlike and highly dangerous.
It should be and is_condemned by everybody. Umpires should act without
hesitation in enforcement of this rule.
8.03
When a pitcher takes his position at the beginning of each inning,
or when he relieves another pitcher, he shall be permitted to pitch
not to exceed eight preparatory pitches to his catcher during which
play shall be suspended. A league by its own action may limit the
number of preparatory pitches to less than eight preparatory pitches.
Such preparatory pitches shall not consume more than one minute
of time. If a sudden emergency causes a pitcher to be summoned into
the game without any opportunity to warm up, the umpire in chief
shall allow him as many pitches as the umpire deems necessary.
8.04
When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball
to the batter within 20 seconds after he receives the ball. Each
time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire
shall call "Ball." The intent of this rule is to avoid
unnecessary delays. The umpire shall insist that the catcher return
the ball promptly to the pitcher, and that the pitcher take his
position on the rubber promptly. Obvious delay by the pitcher should
instantly be penalized by the umpire.
8.05
If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when_ (a) The pitcher,
while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated
with his pitch and fails to make such delivery; If a left-handed
or right-handed pitcher swings his free foot past the back edge
of the pitcher's rubber, he is required to pitch to the batter except
to throw to second base on a pick off play. (b) The pitcher, while
touching his plate, feints a throw to first base and fails to complete
the throw; (c) The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step
directly toward a base before throwing to that base; Requires the
pitcher, while touching his plate, to step directly toward a base
before throwing to that base. If a pitcher turns or spins off of
his free foot without actually stepping or if he turns his body
and throws before stepping, it is a balk. A pitcher is to step directly
toward a base before throwing to that base but does not require
him to throw (except to first base only) because he steps. It is
possible, with runners on first and third, for the pitcher to step
toward third and not throw, merely to bluff the runner back to third;
then seeing the runner on first start for second, turn and step
toward and throw to first base. This is legal. However, if, with
runners on first and third, the pitcher, while in contact with the
rubber, steps toward third and then immediately and in practically
the same motion "wheels" and throws to first base, it
is obviously an attempt to deceive the runner at first base, and
in such a move it is practically impossible to step directly toward
first base before the throw to first base, and such a move shall
be called a balk. Of course, if the pitcher steps off the rubber
and then makes such a move, it is not a balk. (d) The pitcher, while
touching his plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base,
except for the purpose of making a play; (e) The pitcher makes an
illegal pitch; A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge
a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set
in the batter's box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk;
with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous
and should not be permitted. (f) The pitcher delivers the ball to
the batter while he is not facing the batter; (g) The pitcher makes
any motion naturally associated with his pitch while he is not touching
the pitcher's plate; (h) The pitcher unnecessarily delays the game;
(i) The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the
pitcher's plate or while off the plate, he feints a pitch; (j) The
pitcher, after coming to a legal pitching position, removes one
hand from the ball other than in an actual pitch, or in throwing
to a base; (k) The pitcher, while touching his plate, accidentally
or intentionally drops the ball; (l) The pitcher, while giving an
intentional base on balls, pitches when the catcher is not in the
catcher's box; (m)The pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position
without coming to a stop. PENALTY: The ball is dead, and each runner
shall advance one base without liability to be put out, unless the
batter reaches first on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit
batter, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one
base, in which case the play proceeds without reference to the balk.
APPROVED RULING: In cases where a pitcher balks and throws wild,
either to a base or to home plate, a runner or runners may advance
beyond the base to which he is entitled at his own risk. APPROVED
RULING: A runner who misses the first base to which he is advancing
and who is called out on appeal shall be considered as having advanced
one base for the purpose of this rule. Umpires should bear in mind
that the purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from
deliberately deceiving the base runner. If there is doubt in the
umpire's mind, the "intent" of the pitcher should govern.
However, certain specifics should be borne in mind: (a) Straddling
the pitcher's rubber without the ball is to be interpreted as intent
to deceive and ruled a balk. (b) With a runner on first base the
pitcher may make a complete turn, without hesitating toward first,
and throw to second. This is not to be interpreted as throwing to
an unoccupied base.
8.06
A professional league shall adopt the following rule pertaining
to the visit of the manager or coach to the pitcher: (a) This rule
limits the number of trips a manager or coach may make to any one
pitcher in any one inning; (b) A second trip to the same pitcher
in the same inning will cause this pitcher's automatic removal;
(c) The manager or coach is prohibited from making a second visit
to the mound while the same batter is at bat, but (d) if a pinch
hitter is substituted for this batter, the manager or coach may
make a second visit to the mound, but must remove the pitcher. A
manager or coach is considered to have concluded his visit to the
mound when he leaves the 18 foot circle surrounding the pitcher's
rubber. If the manager or coach goes to the catcher or infielder
and that player then goes to the mound or the pitcher comes to him
at his position before there is an intervening play (a pitch or
other play) that will be the same as the manager or coach going
to the mound. Any attempt to evade or circumvent this rule by the
manager or coach going to the catcher or an infielder and then that
player going to the mound to confer with the pitcher shall constitute
a trip to the mound. If the coach goes to the mound and removes
a pitcher and then the manager goes to the mound to talk with the
new pitcher, that will constitute one trip to that new pitcher that
inning. In a case where a manager has made his first trip to the
mound and then returns the second time to the mound in the same
inning with the same pitcher in the game and the same batter at
bat, after being warned by the umpire that he cannot return to the
mound, the manager shall be removed from the game and the pitcher
required to pitch to the batter until he is retired or gets on base.
After the batter is retired, or becomes a base runner, then this
pitcher must be removed from the game. The manager should be notified
that his pitcher will be removed from the game after he pitches
to one hitter, so he can have a substitute pitcher warmed up. The
substitute pitcher will be allowed eight preparatory pitches or
more if in the umpire's judgment circumstances justify.
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