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 then 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 lefthanded or righthanded 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.